Last year when I still have two pre schoolers, I prepare their snacks and they don’t bring money with them. I am all against to pre schoolers having money allowance for their snacks. I do believe that giving money at this very young age is not appropriate. This can lead to kids not eating enough. How can you be sure that the kids are buying nutritious food? or what if they are not buying food at all? I am just glad that the pre school section of my kids’ school have no canteen.Now, this year, my oldest boy is in Grade 1. And during their classes, they were toured around the school (including the canteen). That spiked an interest on my boy. It’s very simple to him, there’s a place where he can buy things, so why won’t he buy there? Knowing him and his curiosity level, I just have to give what he wants. Of course, I need to moderate it. So I told him he can only bring money on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The first week was not successful, he bought candy and a lot of other stuff (I gave him 20 Pesos). The next week is worst. His dad gave him 50 Pesos! So he bought erasers and even gave some of his money to his classmate. I know that the intention of my hubby is to teach him how to handle money. But I think it is rather too early. So the next week, I threatened him that if he buys a candy again, I will no longer give him money for allowance. And of course I have to give him a smaller amount. Now his allowance is only 10 Pesos, just enough to buy him cookies.

How about you? Do you think you should give money allowance to your kids? Why and why not?