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After reading more posts -- I feel the need to add - I've lent money, Russ
(dad) has come up with cars - we support the kids with love and whatever else
we can come up with -- that the kids need.

Yes, we charge rent. When Devin lived here(working construction) and made
way more than I do (after the divorce and all that), I felt he could help pay
for the food he was eating. Yes, I had been paying before he was 18, but I
was often down to my last actual few dollars, and needed the money. I could
see that after they were older, and contributing to the costs of the house
they seemed to take more responsibilty for wasting less, and being more aware.

By giving the kids a personal and clothing allowance usually they had more
spending money than I have. But I didn't want to change that after the
divorce, because it would be one more important thing that got changed. We decided
to end it at 18, because we were trying to be "fair" to each of the five
kids. Of the four that are over 18, they have all been extremely able in the
handling of their life decisions and in their money stuff. It has worked well
in our family. If I had more money, would I give them more as they are older
- you betcha'! I hope I get to that point. But they understand now that
I'm trying to establish a life where I won't be on the street myself in my
"old" age.

Connie
www.homeschoolingreflections.com


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