Would you give your child a wallet?

[bouncycat]

I have a 10 yr old DS, who we are planning on getting him Disney Dollars when we check in, I didn't want him to just shove them in his pocket, should we get him a wallet to start teaching him responsibility? I didn't know what age kids like that wanted to start carrying those things, and if it would help. My DS is turning 11 on the day we go to MK, and has started showing more responsibility in the house with helping me, and stuff. I usually carry his in a bank coin envelope...(I work at a bank) With his name on it, and give it to him as he wants to spend it. I HATE the idea of him possibly losing his birthday money, but I would also like the freedom of no fanny pack this time!! What would YOU do? I'm soooo torn!!!

 

[BellesFavoriteBook]

a wallet might be a safe bet. It'll help continue to teach him responsibility with money.

 

[scousemouse09]

As a girl who was very proud of her purse from the age of 10, I'd say go for it! My parents took the line of "you can have x amount of money today - you lose it and it's your problem, we're not giving you any more." I've always been so careful when I've carried money around ever since, so it's a good idea!

 

[kstategrad]

My sons will be 12 and 8 when we go this fall, and they will both be carrying their own wallets. I won't let them have ALL of their spending money in it though. My kids have a $100 spending limit ($25 for each park), so I will only let them carry that day's money ($25 each day). I will keep the rest of their $ in the safe and give it to them each day, as long as they are responsible with it.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

 

[TheWog]

My son just turned 12 and has had a wallet for a few years now and I think it is a great idea. I would break the money down, so just in case he does lose it he doesn't lose all of it. Give him maybe $20 or so and keep the rest with you. If and when he needs more you can replenish the wallet for him.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I have a 10 yr old DS, who we are planning on getting him Disney Dollars when we check in, I didn't want him to just shove them in his pocket, should we get him a wallet to start teaching him responsibility? I didn't know what age kids like that wanted to start carrying those things, and if it would help. My DS is turning 11 on the day we go to MK, and has started showing more responsibility in the house with helping me, and stuff. I usually carry his in a bank coin envelope...(I work at a bank) With his name on it, and give it to him as he wants to spend it. I HATE the idea of him possibly losing his birthday money, but I would also like the freedom of no fanny pack this time!! What would YOU do? I'm soooo torn!!!

Well, what about one of those lanyard types that have that plastic thing for his fastpasses and or a bit of cash in it???
A wallet can be lost, but I think its a great idea and you don't have to give him ALL his $$, maybe just a little so he feels grown up and a bit independent and also "sees" what it is like to have it all "slip away" with each purchase
Whatever you choose, have a great trip!

 

[peytonsmomie]

My DS6 and DD8 will be carrying their disney store chain wallets when we go in 2 weeks. They won't be carrying much money at any given time, but the chains connected to their hips help to keep wallets from falling or being left behind.

DD's is a traditional Mickey face wallet in bright blues, and DS's is pirate mickey in red and black. Very cute, and very helpful!

 

[weheartdisney07]

If he is showing enough responsibility I think he will be good. I also work at a bank and see children younger than that with wallets; most are the velcro(sp?) ones.

 

[cannonballer]

I was 5 when I got my first wallet, STILL HAVE IT!!!
Before that I was given a small plastic change holder to put change in and carry around for gumball machines!

They make small kid size wallets!

 

[bouncycat]

Thanks for all the replies!! I'll go ahead and get him one. We're only going to the park for one day, but possibly downtown disney the day before we go to MK, and I KNOW he'll want to visit the Lego store!! I'll look around and see what I can find for him in the smaller range for boys. He'll LOVE it. He even has a military ID, but I carry that!! Can't lost that!!

 

[alexandallysmommy]

I think he's old enough. Try giving him small amounts of money throughout the day if you are worried about him losing it though.


My daughter is younger than your son... she's carrying a purse that holds her autograph book. I'm going to let her put about $5 in it. She has $100 to spend throughout five days so she'll get about $20 per day.

 

[Pixieflip]

My 14 year old son went with his grandparents last summer. We sent him with a new cell phone and a wallet. Kept good track of the phone, how else could he text 3000 times a day?

The wallet?? Totally doesn't even know where he lost it! He still says he thinks he was pickpocketed...whatever, he just can't admit that he lost it or that maybe his baggy pants had something to do with it!! He was smart enough to not take all of his money, so he only lost a part of it, plus the wallet itself, which was nice. Grrr. He's on his own to replace it.

It's all part of life and learning to be responsible. If they lose it, use it as a teachable moment.

 

[Lori1960]

I would get him a wallet and since you dont want a fanny pack.He can put the wallet in a money belt

 

[MTCruiser]

Our 7 year old had to have his money with him so we bought him a lanyard with a wallet to wear around his neck. He took it off when he went to the bathroom and lost his 20 dollars. Even tho I replaced everything for him he was still upset. I probably should have kept a better eye on it.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds7 just asked me this week if I would buy him a wallet to carry his money in when we go to Disney (he's got $30 saved now and we don't go until late November). He's pretty good about keeping up with things so I told him we would - now I don't intend for him to carry all of his money around every day.

 

[Maiya]

Both of my sons- 6 and 11 have wallets. That being said, they often end up in my purse because not all of their pants (especially shorts) have pockets. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[3boymthr]

I'd say go for it with the wallet. DS(13) has had one for years now and has never lost it.

That said if you think your DS might be the type to lose his wallet maybe consider getting him a wallet with a chain/cord loop to attach to his belt loops. DH has one that is very small that he uses when we go to the beach or touristy places or someplace he doesn't want to be carrying a lot of stuff (we hike a lot). It just holds a few dollars (usually he has one or two twenties) and his ID, but it has a grommet through one corner that a cord fits thru which he runs up to a carabiner which he attaches to his belt loop. (Okay, he'll kill me for putting this out where other people will know but actually it's a Vera Bradley Black Microfiber Luggage tag that he saw at the store when I dragged him in to look at tote bags and he thought it would be perfect for a small beach wallet, so I got it for him as a present. He removed the VB label so no one would know what it is )