Who's Right?Pocket money: should you give it, and how much?
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In short
Yes, pocket money helps children learn to manage money, make choices and be patient, often from around age 6 or 7. Regularity matters more than the amount: a small fixed sum, suited to their age and to what it has to cover, raised gradually over time.
Both sides
Lina is 9 and she keeps asking for stickers or sweets every time we go to the bakery. I want to give her 5 euros every Saturday and let her manage it herself. If she spends it all on day one, she waits until next week, that's how you learn. I don't want her tidying her room only because she gets paid for it.
I'm not against the idea, but money doesn't fall from the sky. I'd rather she earned it: one euro for emptying the dishwasher, one euro for taking out the bins. Otherwise I worry she'll think it's normal to get money for doing nothing. And 5 euros a week at 9 already feels like a lot to me.
The verdict
Nadia is right on the main point: a fixed, regular sum lets Lina learn to make choices, save up and live with her mistakes. If all the money depends on chores, a child may start asking to be paid for every bit of help at home, when pitching in is simply part of family life.
Thomas still raises two fair points. Money has to be earned, and children should understand that. And the amount should match what the child is responsible for: 5 euros a week is reasonable if it replaces the small treats parents used to buy, less so if it comes on top of everything else.
The mistake would be to pick one approach against the other. What matters most is that both parents agree on a clear rule and stick to it over time.
The compromise
Give Lina a fixed weekly sum, say 3 to 5 euros, and agree together on what she pays for with it (sweets, stickers, small toys). Everyday chores stay unpaid, but an unusual job, like washing the car, can earn a small bonus.
Who do you think is right?
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Frequently asked questions
At what age should you start pocket money?
Many parents start around 6 or 7, when the child can count and understands that things have a price. The right time is mostly when they start regularly asking for small items.
How much should you give by age?
There is no official amount. Start with a small sum and increase it with age and with what the child has to pay for on their own, such as outings or a phone plan as a teenager.
Should you pay children for household chores?
It's better to keep everyday chores unpaid, since they are part of family life. Paying for an unusual or longer job, however, can teach the value of effort.
Can you take away pocket money as a punishment?
It's generally not recommended, because it mixes money with discipline. If a child breaks something, having them contribute to the repair with their own money makes more sense.
What if they spend it all at once?
Don't top it up. Waiting for the next payment is the best lesson, and you can then help them set a little aside for something they really want.
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Written with the help of AI, reviewed by the Who's Right team · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
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