From: prmader@lims01.lerc.nasa.gov (MICHELLE MADER)
Subject: Re: Parenting Teens
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Distribution: usa
Date: 25 Jan 1993 12:45 EST  

In article <1993Jan21.052012.13067@netwise.com>, kat@netwise.com (Kathleen Nosbisch) writes...
> 
>I would enjoy having other parents of teens to correspond with through
>email.  I have tried, but can't get the mentioned alt.teen-parent group.
> 
>I have been reading this group for about 5 months, and have never posted
>to it, but *do* enjoy reading how all of you parents of younger kiddos
>are handling things nowdays!
> 
>I have two daughters, ages 11 and almost 14.  The 14-yr old is highly
>entrenched into adolescense (much to my worry) and the 11-yr old is
>trying hard to get there.
> 
>Anyone in a similar situation, write or post!
> 
>Thanks...
> 
>Kat
> 
>-- 
>|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
>|	Kathleen Nosbisch		Netwise, Inc.			|
>|	kat@netwise.com			2477 55th Street		|
>|					Boulder, Colorado  80301	|

I do read the other group but I think this is also a good place to
post articles about teens (and pre-teens), especially since many
people have both young children and teens.

My 10YO is getting dragged toward adolescence kicking and screaming.
(From discussions with her friends'parents this seems pretty normal.)
On the other hand my 6YO thinks she's ready today.  I suppose this is
due to the "priviledges" thinks thinks the 10YO gets as a result of
her age.

Here's a thread for you (could apply to younger as well as older
children):  How are you (or how do you plan to) teaching your
children about handling money?  Do they get an allowance?  Are
jobs tied to it?  Do you have any say over how it is spent?

My children get a weekly allowance that is not tied to the performance
of any household duties (they are expected to perform such duties, 
however).  It is divided into 4 parts:  10% tithe, 20% long savings,
the remainder (70%) divided evenly between short savings and spending 
money.  Long savings is intended as VERY long-term and they cannot
spend any of it now.  When my 10YO asks what long savings is for again
I tell her it's for her car.  Short savings is for things they may
want (toys, etc.) that take some accumulation of money.  Short savings
have also been used for Christmas shopping.  Spending money is for
immediate needs (e.g. Girl Scout dues, ice cream money).

Currently, I have total say over what they spend their money on.
I am pretty liberal about this since I do want them to learn about
money management and making choices.  I have told them, however, that
there are some things I will never allow them to have by rights as
a parent, regardless of whose money they're spending.  As I see them
exercising a certain amount of responsibility in this area I intend
to start to relinquish my control over the funds.  This has happened
to an extent with my 10YO and I'm hoping by the time she's in her
teens I will not need to advise her about spending money or short
savings.  (My 6YO has only recently started with an allowance.)

Let me know your ideas/opinions and I'll let you know how it's working.

Newsgroups: misc.kids