Tween Allowance:
Make the Most of It!

A tween allowance can be challenging - just as raising a tween can be challenging! They are starting to have more freedom on their everyday life. And, their allowances should follow.

This could require the first sit-down meeting between child and parents to agree on what expenses the child will be responsible for paying (if you haven't already had to do this). Here are some suggested expenses that kids can become responsible for as part of their tween allowance.

• Discretionary food expenses. This can include anything from pop after school to hot dogs at the football game on Friday night. Expenses for the regular meals of the day should still fall to the parents.
• Their own entertainment. This is what is done outside of the family. Kids shouldn't have to pay for their admission to the movie if it's a family night out, for instance. But they can be expected to pay for the video games with their friends after school or at the pizza place.
• Subscriptions to magazines.
• All the discretionary expenses they had to pay for when they were younger.

Remember, as you set the allowance rate, don't look at what the kids would like to spend. That may be more than you are willing to pay - and maybe even more than you actually do now. Instead, look at what is reasonable and base it on tween activities. (If you need a refresher on the allowance basics, click here.)

When looking at activities and their cost, look at a typical week. If the child is allowed to stop one day each week at the local convenience store to get a snack, then figure out how much that snack should cost and add it in. If they attend the weekly football game or an equivalent, figure a cost for that (admission, snack, etc.) and include it on the list.

Got a tween that's ready for more responsibility - whether because of their maturity or because they are finally a teen? Move on up to our allowances for teens page.