Parents Talk: Giving Your Child An Allowance

When I was nine years old not only was I the neighborhood babysitter, but—like most kids—I also completed various chores around the house to earn my weekly allowance.

Now to be honest, my boss—who was otherwise known as Daddy—was a little lenient on me. While I occasionally mowed the lawn, helped pick up dog droppings or weeded the garden, as long as I kept my room clean, did my homework and was my usual sweet self (wink) I got my money.

Looking back I had it pretty easy.

But of course it taught me to be a good little worker and to be accountable for things. A neighbor even saw me mowing the lawn one weekend and gave me a job mowing hers for the summer.

I fast forward to now as a working adult and I wonder, with the economy so out of whack right now, are people even giving kids an allowance these days? And how hard do you make them work for it? What's a good age to start an allowance? Should parents not give an allowance?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

About this column: Local moms and dads give their take on current issues affecting their family and yours. We encourage you to take part in the discussion.