Yeah...umm right
A few weeks ago it was Spring Break. I was enjoying sleeping in and all kinds of fun activities (pony picture is from Easter). One day I was relaxing in bed at 8am when I heard the garbage truck down the street. I realized that we had not yet set out our garbage so I went flying out the door, in my pj's and slippers. I saw that it was pulling up to our neighbours' one door down and raced to get it to the curb in time. I had a broken watering can that couldn't fit into the bin and I wanted to know if I could throw it in as well, so I waited beside the bin for the truck. I asked if I could throw the watering can in as well. I could, so I did. Then I made a comment about how I had almost missed the truck for the day.
He responded "Yeah, you would have lost your allowance for the month."
I didn't respond. Darn it, I should have replied "Well, when I graduated from University with 2 degrees, had a kid, got a job in my chosen profession, bought a house, and got pregnant with another kid, my husband stopped paying me my allowance." I was a little flattered. Apparently I don't look that old and haggard when I jump out of bed in the morning.
In truth, I never had an allowance. My parents were always considerate of my "needs" throughout my younger years and would listen to my side of the story on money requests and consider their choice on the matter. Also, I had a paper route and I babysat. As an elementary teacher I've already seen many different stories. The children with no pizza or hot dog on pizza/hot dog day, the children with a selection of items to choose from that choose none (and those that eat it all), those that lose money at school and those that don't even have a lunch. There are more categories, but I am just listing a few. I think it's great that my husband and I were both lucky enough to be raised with an appreciation for money we have earned ourselves and the many blessings that we have received. I'm so thankful for that lesson.
This is getting long-winded, so I will wrap it up and perhaps do a part 2 someday... However, here's the question of the day. Did you have an allowance and will you give your kids one?
Labels: confessions, feedback please
11 Comments:
LOL funny story!
I didn't have an allowance either, and I don't think that our kids will have one either.
No allowance, as soon as I was old enough to do chores, my Dad handed me this spreadsheet listing household chores and a dollar amount beside each one. It was our choice, we could do all the chores or none of them. We would get paid accordingly.
I think this was a great way to teach us about earning, and will probably use a similar system with Eva when she's older.
I got a small allowance growing up. When I started needing more money my parents told me to get a job. ;)
I will give my kids allowance. A small allowance that is EARNED.
I had an allowance...don't know what we'll do with these guys :)
Hee hee, I bet you look young enough to pass for 14!
What! I can see someone thinking you're young like that... normally... but, well, did he just not see your big prego belly? That's a crazy story. haha.
Coincidentally(?) I didn't have an allowance either. I don't remember it bothering me a LOT though.
Anyway... dinner calls... love you!!
Yes, I had an allowance and I think I would give any future kids allowances too - but it would have to be earned.
hehe.. maybe you should ask j to start giving you an allowance :P
too funny!!!
How bad is this but I can't remember? I think we got a little to be able to buy sweets and things like that. My folks paid for clothes, toiletries en such
I'm the parent who didn't give my kids (Elizabeth and her sibs) any allowance, but I did have an allowance! I used to get 50 cents a week. With that money, every once in a while, I could go to the Saturday afternoon matinee at the local movie theatre - the Paramount, that was two blocks from my house! I got in for 35 cents and bought popcorn for 15 cents! I remember how special that was for me and my sisters!
I did not get an allowance because my parents were struggling immigrants but we did however get 10 cents a week so we could go public skating on Saturdays. (Probably to get some of her 8 children out of her house.) I really appreciated that and have some special memories. One downside on that is we used to steal money from my mother's dime jar to buy candy etc. I think I might have given my kids an allowance once in awhile but I'm not too sure. Follow your instincts. I liked the chart with chores and money idea. Love Fran
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