Every parent is faced with this question - when and how how much pocket money to give to their child.
And that's why it's good to discuss it, because it's both sinister and philosophical. The attitude towards money and the culture of spending are one of the main points in the upbringing of every person. Or at least it should be.
Whether the child will become a spendthrift, a miser, a saver or will be able to properly plan his budget depends precisely on these first years.
And maybe not so much the quantity of money is leading as our attitude towards it.
The child should be taught to order his priorities and only consider what to choose with the available money. Would like to spend it all right away or set aside for the next day as well.
But at what age can he be trusted to carry money in his pocket? And how many levs?
First grade is a good start, although most teachers do not want children to bring money to school, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble and accidents.
First, children must learn to guard the finances entrusted to them and to accept them precisely as entrusted, i.e., to feel responsible for them.
They should also respect other children's money, not show aggression towards them. Even at this age, children should know that secretly taking twenty cents from a friend is theft, unequal exchange is fraud.
These are such obvious rules, but if we simply impose them on children with the imperative intonation: This no, this no, this no… and children enter the world of adults, perceiving it as a world of prohibitions, it is very likely to start early to have their secrets. Including about money. Where do they get it from and what do they spend it on.
The other shocking moment is when parents, fearing that their children will go hungry or be rejected by other children who have more money, start giving their children more and more money.
How do you see the pocket money of a first-grader being BGN 10? Personally, I find it irresponsible, even for millionaire parents? Moreover, this money is most often invested in several cars, snacks, chips and croissants.
Unfortunately, this is available in most school desks. And most of the young students race to buy when they have no other entertainment. And this is hardly the best concern on the part of parents and school authorities. Some should give more and more pocket money, and others should only offer junk food.
The idea of little students getting free warm milk for breakfast, then a carrot, and finally, right now, first graders get neither. Instead, the "rich kids" who receive pocket money indiscriminately stuff themselves with crunchy snacks and other similar treats. Who's to blame?
That's why I personally think that studying finance - part 1 is better done outside of school. Let the child have some pocket money, and let him decide when and what to spend it on, when we go out together to the supermarket, to the cinema or for a walk.
And for school, depending on how much time he will spend there, we put in the little student's bag, be it a sandwich, an apple, juice or whatever we have prepared for eating at home. Common-sense teachers who are concerned about children's he alth also recommend not to give small students money, but to put snacks and water in their bags.
What are your recommendations to parents – to give or not to give money to young students? And from what age should they do it?
