So I floated this idea a while back to get some input, and we decided to do it.
My kids are 14 and 16 and we are on our trip right now. I gave them X amount of cash at the start of the trip. Here are their instructions:
Mom and dad pay for grocery delivery to the hotel plus all meals out. They can order water with their meal. Mom and dad may or may not agree to pay for a dessert after a meal.
All snacks, sodas, and merchandise they have to use their own spending money. Candy at the airport? They use their cash. Cool t-shirt? It’s on them. Pretzel, icee, Mickey bar? They have to decide how bad they want it.
And bonus, anything they don’t spend they get to keep after the trip is done.
This has been FABULOUS for the trip. You can really see them thinking hard about how to spend their cash.
No more whining for sodas at meals (we did order some soda to be delivered to the hotel room, and they can bring that if they want.) No more negotiating for stuffed toys or sweet snacks.
In fact, my kids are mostly avoiding snacks! It’s crazy! These are the kids who would have been begging for snacks at almost every cart in past trips.
DS was horrified when the hotel wanted $5 for a bag of gummy bears, and instead went to the Walgreens by our hotel to buy himself some candy. Smart kid!
Anyway, I’m not sure if this belongs in this section but I figured it might appeal to someone. I think it would be good for tweens or teens, and is a great life lesson for the kids.
My kids are 14 and 16 and we are on our trip right now. I gave them X amount of cash at the start of the trip. Here are their instructions:
Mom and dad pay for grocery delivery to the hotel plus all meals out. They can order water with their meal. Mom and dad may or may not agree to pay for a dessert after a meal.
All snacks, sodas, and merchandise they have to use their own spending money. Candy at the airport? They use their cash. Cool t-shirt? It’s on them. Pretzel, icee, Mickey bar? They have to decide how bad they want it.
And bonus, anything they don’t spend they get to keep after the trip is done.
This has been FABULOUS for the trip. You can really see them thinking hard about how to spend their cash.
No more whining for sodas at meals (we did order some soda to be delivered to the hotel room, and they can bring that if they want.) No more negotiating for stuffed toys or sweet snacks.
In fact, my kids are mostly avoiding snacks! It’s crazy! These are the kids who would have been begging for snacks at almost every cart in past trips.
DS was horrified when the hotel wanted $5 for a bag of gummy bears, and instead went to the Walgreens by our hotel to buy himself some candy. Smart kid!
Anyway, I’m not sure if this belongs in this section but I figured it might appeal to someone. I think it would be good for tweens or teens, and is a great life lesson for the kids.