What's the best age to start an allowance?

Mrs.Hizzo · January 2011

Ever since Christmas, my 3 year old sees something he wants and asks me to get it for him. I tell him, maybe for your birthday. He says, no, he doesn't want it for his birthday, he wants it now. And then I try to explain that toys cost money, and we can't just go out and buy whatever he wants whenever he wants.

Obviously he needs to learn patience and that every day is not Christmas day, but I was wondering if he's too little to get a small weekly allowance? I don't know how much, maybe a buck or two? That way, when he wants something small (right now he wants a rubber duck and a new Thomas engine for his train table), he can save for it and buy it himself. I don't mind getting him a treat every now and again, but I don't make a habit of it. I can understand not wanting to wait to get everything you want at Christmas and birthdays, too, so I thought maybe this would be a good alternative, allowing him to save for some of the things he wants to have without spoiling him.

What do you think? Good idea, or am I jumping the gun?

Ruffles&Rust · January 2011

It's a great idea. I did this with my oldest DD. She got two dollars @ the end of the week if she kept her room picked up.

Now, @ 6yrs old she get a little more $$ if she keeps her room clean & stays on green ( behavioral chart @ school) all week

Luv-a-Bug · January 2011

I'll start one when DS is old enough to do something daily to earn it.. (be that feed the dogs, pick up toys, help carry a small bag out to the trash, etc.)

celiabwatson · January 2011

I think that an allowance should start when a child can start recognizing and naming coins and knowing what they're worth. However, I agree that your son should "earn" his small toys. Could you let him earn stickers or something and then when he gets enough he can buy a small toy? That way you're not dealing with money and adding and numbers so much but he's still earning the toy.

janjag · January 2011

I don't have a child that age, but it seems too young to me. At that age will he understand that after 1 wk he only has $2 and it will be another 4 wks before he has enough to get the $10 toy?

My allowance started at 9yrs old. At that age I understood what I was doing to get an allowance.

Not sure I have an opinion - what would Suzie Orman say

JennifernKevin4ever · January 2011

I think that he is probably a little too young. I agree with the sticker chart like pp said. That would be easier for him to understand. I think I didn't starting getting an allowance until I was 9 or 10.