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Ask Rene:
Teens And Allowance – What Are The Rules?

 

Dear Rene:

I appreciate the advice you give others and now I come to you with a question of my own.  Is it right to have your 15-year-old granddaughter clean your condo for $10 an hour? My granddaughter’s other grandfather, who is a slob, is paying her $10 – or so she says – to organize and clean his place. 

When I mention this to some of my friends, they say, “Hey, take me with you” as though they think this is great. One of my closer friends and her husband think it’s demeaning and a terrible idea.  

Initially I didn’t see anything wrong here but now my eyes have been opened.  I love this granddaughter greatly. They live nearby and often spend time at my home, especially over the summer. I respect her and want her to be respected. So what do you think, Rene? Is it wrong to have your granddaughter clean up your home for $10.00 an hour?

Signed,

Concerned Grandmother 

 

Dear Concerned Grandmother!

After reading your letter, I have a few questions of my own, so let’s run through these one at a time.

 

2. What Does She Do When She Stays At Your Place?

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When she’s with you during the summer months, what does she do? Is she learning a skill or studying for the upcoming school year? Is she working to earn money for the things she wants to buy or do you give it to her? Or is she sleeping in, only to roll out of bed at the crack of lunch and then spend the rest of the day in front of the TV? Look, the first few weeks after school is out, I let my kids do just that, but after the initial decompression, we swing into action and that includes picking up a few additional chores. For their effort they are paid 10 bucks a WEEK! In fact, I’m going to make sure they don’t see this, lest they try to adopt this grandfather!