Teens paying rent

[frannn]

and that's a lot of college tuition. I would need the kids to help with their tuition, because I doubt my ex will. If the girls want special extras after they've graduated high school, like certain makeup, clothes, etc., they will be paying for it. I will pick things up here and there, but will only take care of their needs (not all "wants"). If they get a scholarship, I will pay for more of their extras. I guess I feel that way because I put myself through college, since I was married and out of the house at 18. My family felt if I was old enough to be out of the house, I was old enough to pay for my education, which I did. My brother got a partial scholarship and they paid the rest.

 

[Melann]

I have long fought with my parents over this topic...and I just recently started paying rent!

I think it is absurd to ask for it before the child turns 18...a parent's job is to provide for a child until that age.

I really wanted to go away to school, and my parents told me if I stayed home and went to a different school, they would help me with my tuition. I ended up staying home (commuting to school), and received very little assistance from my parents. Because of this, and being stuck with a $2000 bill for tuition, not to mention books, I refused to pay it any time they asked. I think it really depends on the situation...if my parents would have told me from the beginning they expected me to pay rent, maybe i would have went away. I wouldn't expect them to help me with tuition if they didn't say. During college, I paid for everything myself, and have bought my own food alot of times. I just recently started paying it becuase I will be graduating soon and I am tired of my parents fighting with me for money...I decided to just give in. Now, it makes me angry because my youngest brother (17) does not work and my parents give him anything he wants...I worked since I turned 16, and have paid for alot over the years...makes me angry!! Sorry for ranting, but I have had alot of probs with my parents the last few years.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

I paid "rent" to my parents when I got my job at 16. $25/weekly.

My parents bought me my car and paid for my insurance and paid for my clothes so I didn't mind paying them at all.

The biggest surprise was on my wedding day my parents handed me a savings passbook with all my "rent" money. It was a real nice surprise.

I am planning on doing the same thing for my kids.

 

[s&k'smom]

Because I was the scrooge of the family my parents knew I could save. I worked and saved and put myself through college. But once I was finished I was expected to pay rent (I think I was 24). After I met my DH and got engaged my mom said I didn't have to pay rent because she knew me well enough that I would be paying on futniture, the wedding etc.

I was expected to pay for my car and insurance of course and anything extra I may have accrued like the phone bill when talking with DH while we were dating. I think I will have my kids pay rent if they are over 18 and not going to college. I would like to be able to give them a "surprise" when they actually do leave or get married or like me go to college several years after high school.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I am 23 and am still living with my parents almost a year after graduating college and have never been charged rent. My parents have always emphasized saving money.

I have a twin sister and my parents bought us an older car to share when we turned 16. I got my first job at 17 and that's when I had to start paying for the clothes I wanted. They would buy me clothes but if I wanted something else, I would have to buy it. When I graduated high school my sister and I had saved up enough money to buy our own cars. From then I paid all insurance, repairs, anything on my car which of course should be my responsibility.

I worked all through college and still didn't have to pay rent. Once again saving was emphasized and it was known that I had to pay my students loans when I graduated. Saved enough money to pay off my loan and am saving money to buy a house.

I have saved enough for a down payment and am now looking for a house. I am so thankful for the help of my parents and allowing me to save money instead of paying rent to them. I am so lucky.

 

[tkd lisa]

I never paid rent, but I moved out into an apartment when I graduated from high school (at 17). As soon as I started driving, I paid for my car insurance (even when driving the family car, I paid for my part). I bought my own car and paid for gas and insurance. I paid my entire way through college, and only lived at home for 6 weeks after high school.

I have other family who's approach is the child is allowed to be rent free until they graduate high school or turn 18. Then they have 6 months to 1) start college, 2) join the military or 3) move out. If they choose option 1, they stay rent free (just pay personal expenses), obviously choice 2 and 3 don't involve rent.

DH's family has just started charging his youngest brother rent, and he's nearly 30. He had been paying for the cable, and his car and insurance, but they started charging him rent since they are living on a fixed income, and really needed the money.

 

[crazelion]

I did not pay rent in high school or college. My Mom said the most important thing was to get a education.

I can see many pitfuls in a child paying rent to there parents. One the child would and not curfew and want to be treat like a adult and do adult things. Two the child could drop out high school seeing that they is treat like an adult. Why go to school.

I don't pay rent right now because I can't afford to pay rent at the moment. The job I have is a part time job that pays nothing and I not get hours. But I do pay for food in the house if I can afford it. I live with my Mom because I can't afford to live out on own.

When I get back on my feet working a full time job I plan on paying for cable, water bill, lights and food.

Kids should be kids and enjoy life because they have plenty of time to go in the real world.