charging your teen rent while in school?

Cailynn: I recognize that each child is different but im wondering does anyone charge there teens to live at home? If your child is wanting major independance, is it wrong to let do so by charging them rent and payin for utilities and other house hold expenses plus there own needs or wants ?

Hyenablood: only if the teen is working at a full time job, in today's world, a person can only pay rent if they are working one or more part time or full time jobs. Very hard to come by.

Sarcastic Dots: I had to, but it wasn't a lot. My mum always said it was relative to what I earned, since after all, she did want me to enjoy some of the money I got from working.

Edit: but it is entirely up to the nature of the relationship. I always wanted to give my mum more, but she was happy with what she arranged.

Hyenablood: well, remember that in today's world, everything is a hell of a lot more expensive than back in the day ! when I was 7 or so, me mom and dad went to florida to disney world. Today, same trip is triple or far more than what it cost back then.

Aura: I wouldn't go as far as charging rent. After all, I chose to have children so it is my (and my hubby's) 'burden' until he/she wants to move out. However, if she isn't satisfied wearing jeans that cost about $20 and wants brand names, get a job and pay for it. Same with the cellphone, you are not happy with just calling and teksting? Work for the money to get yourself a blackberry or whatever.

Hyenablood: oh yeah I totally agree coffee, if kids want the high brand name item, then get a job and pay out of your own pocket for that expensive item.
I still live at home, but I pay for my own gas money, any thing else I want.

Cailynn: ok so this is whats happening he wants independance and is being more assertive verbaly in a non good way . i feel that if hes goign to be a complete.. ass. .. then he can learn this way to pay rent....
ie.. he comes home and its after school and says to me .. WOMAN GO TO THE KITCHEN AND FEED ME I HAVE TO WORK SOON..
..

i dont mind feeding the kid. but . hello.. im not a slave and if he wants to go to a resturant and get food on demand hes going to pay for it
hence . he should pay

and aww dots ur soo sweet too ur mum..

Hyenablood: omg, if I spoke to my mom like that my head would be bouncing off the floor, and the cops would find my body in 8 pieces across the country. It's a terrible terrible shame that kids grow up thinking that they can abuse their parents like that.
Parents should set the law early that they are the authority and they are to be respected 100 % every day.
If a kid wants to be an a@@hole then maybe he should be kicked out and find his own apartment and get his own d@#$ food, no man should ever speak to a woman like that.

Cailynn: lol hence im thinkin hey u want to act like a tool. you can pay up or leave

xox G xox: Cailynn I think the boy need to learn manners and respect for what he has more than paying rent. My son wouldnt dare speak to me like that

My son started working parttime age 15 while still at school, left school last year ages 16 to begin his 4yr apprenticeship this year, fulltime, very good wages, as a Fitter n Machinist.

Hubby n i discussed the issue of paying his way in life so,
1. He pays for all thats required for his car .....rego, insurance, maintenance, fuel.
2. He buys his own cloths.
3. Pays for his own entertainment ....outtings, concerts etc
4. Pays his own tafe fees and purchases his own tools ....this he gets rebated for through apprenticeship and or tax time.

But he must show us that hes saving a minimum of 25% of his income .....which he does.

Hopefully within 2yrs he will have enough saved for a good sized deposit to purchase an investment unit.

For the amount of time he is actually home, he doesnt cost much to keep

rodgump1979: I teach them how to make the money and they pay for there own things they want. My wife and I provide the needs.

dave3974: i did not charge them , i also gave them an allowance , i wanted them to concentrate on their studies

one_two_x_u: seems pretty tight. why not instead put it into a savings account for them so by the time they leave home they have earned some interest on it. or invest it in something.
why make your kids suffer for longer than they should anyhow. let them enjoy their youth they only have one.

Justaolgoat: I never charged my sons anything to live at home. I wish I had counseled them more toward saving and having a nest egg to fall back on, espically in todays economy.

children70126: My son is in college and also work.Yes I make him pay bills, half of two (the lowest). If he was rooming with someone he would have to pay. I want my kids to be ready for the world so they won't get eaten by it. It's better I show them than the world out here.

Justaolgoat: If I were to have him give me money I think I would have to invest that money into a 401k or at least into stock that has a dividend reinvestment plan. Don't JUST tell them to save, show them what the value of compounding can do!!! See http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/04/02/the-extraordinary-power-of-compound-interest/

children70126: I 've seen the outcome of parents paying for everything while their children stayed with them. TRAIN WRECK! They expect their parents to pay for everything here on out. And the people I'm talking about are in their 40's. My son has his own things that has nothing to do with me. The bills he pays half of it goes straight to the the bill not me. Nothing in this world is free and that goes for our children too. At least the adult ones.

children70126: One thing yes I taught my son how to save his money. That is why at 19 he has no problem paying his bill (taking care of responsibility) and still have his own money. His own not mine, his.

AshBRAT: I think it extremely important to teach your children about generosity, helpfulness and the importance of work so that they want to contribute.

Secret Mastermind: Well if your kid is going to move out at one piont they cant if they are giving you all thiere money.

dirty bird: Instead of having a kid you should rent one for a few years and see if you really want a kid.

Secret Mastermind: I don't see the point in making a kid pay. I mean that is like punishing them for being your child. You chose to have a child and now you are paying for them and getting them ready to move out. Punishing them for being born is kind of sad. I think you should trying to make it where they have the ability to leave on their own not telling them how dare you live here. Unless the child is just lazy and wants to take advantage of the fact you are their parent and refuse to find work since mommy and daddy are taking care of them.

sunny_789: I think it is a good idea for a child to be contributing something to the household once they have an income - but it should be relevant to what they earn and still allow them to also learn about saving and about enjoying their own money as well.

If they are out of school and earning full time then they should be contributing in the same way as they would if they were boarding with anyone else - its still cheaper than having to get their own place but you won't teach them anything by allowing them to be a freeloader when they have the same earning capacity as you do.

dirty bird: I have absolutely no opinion

FearAndHunger: Make the kid pay. Don't spend the money they pay, rather put it into a fund for them. When they decide to move out, allow them to use said money for the expenses they are sure to face when they are stepping out into the world on their own. If that's not doable, spend every last penny on booze so that way your kids learn a good life lesson.