The Allowance I Never Had.

Huhm, talking about allowance. It's not something the likes of me have access to while growing up. And same goes to my siblings too, there wasn't any system like that in place for us. The highest we got then was just some pocket money when we were going to school back then, and I see no reason why that should be called an allowance.

Our parents were the best, we weren't rich, but they made sure to do the needful. They provided us with shelter, clothes, foods, and were as well in charge of our school fees and other personal needs. So, when it comes to personal spending or an expected allowance at the end of each week or month, we don't have access to such.

Along the line, my dad got a promotion and was transferred outside of town, and that was when we started getting some money, which I wouldn't want to call allowance as well. Because it was meant to take care of our school needs and certain things that we may need. I was in a higher institution then, so such money is usually for foodstuffs, transportation and some school needs. So, I cant call it an allowance.

An allowance I believe is something given to you even after all your basic needs have been sorted out, something you can hold onto and use to settle your own personal stuff and the likes.

But then, even though I didn't have access to it, I think there's nothing bad in it. Giving my children allowance is something I will love to consider and do when I have a family. While in the higher institution, didn't have access to it, but my own child will definitely have access to it, after sorting his school needs and all, he/she should still get some form of allowance to get things done and such.

And I'm saying that because there are a lot of needs that will arise for them and it won't look so good reaching out to their parents every single time for every single thing. Simple things like doing photocopies, like getting data, like buying creams or deciding to cook and enjoy themselves on a weekend when they are at home. Or do you expect a young adult who's going to church to start asking his parents for offering to drop in church... It does sounds somehow even though it's what I had to experience, my kids wouldn't experience such. I understand mine is because we weren't doing well financially so we just had to make do and manage what we have.

Now, I feel the most important thing beyond giving your child or placing your child on allowance is responsibility. Your child should be well brought up and be accountable for almost every naira that he collects. It's not about parent monitoring their kids around, no. But you can't give your child allowance today and in two days time he/she is already crying for another money when you've already sorted everything that needs sorting out. What did he/she use the allowance for in the space of a day? Money doesn't grow on trees...or does it?

And for parents who are rarely at home to see and be around their kids, its best to place them on allowance. It will reduce the rate at which even the children will be disturbing you while you are at work working, you won't always need to step in every single time since you've given them something they can use to sort it out.

But like I said earlier, beyond giving and placing them on allowance, this kids needs to be taught the value of money, how hard it is to make, to be wise in their spendings and to be guided. So, if a child refuses and does not take to correction, the best thing to do is to sit them down and speak sense into them, let them know how these things work, if possible withdraw the allowance you're giving to them or reduce it but still make sure you sort all their basic needs either in school or at home. It will also go a long way I helping a child prepare for adulthood and how to handle finance.

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Images are mine.

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