Each family approaches the “flight from the nest” scenario differently, with some young people leaping blindly and others requiring a gentle prod from their parents. But, if an adult has completed their schooling and is working full-time, what is the procedure for what they may be required to contribute to the home if they are still living with their parents? Read the story to know what happened in this family and share your views on this.
Source: Reddit
My 18 year old son finished college this year and is now working at a local hotel. It was a part time job but is now supposed to be full time as he won’t be going to higher education – so this is it, he’s now in the workforce and is an adult. At home there is myself, my husband and a 16 year old in further education and we are finding money is really tight at the moment.
At what point do we stop paying for our son? I don’t mean food and household stuff, I mean his haircuts, clothes, prescriptions etc? He is working and wants to be treated as an adult, I think he should pay for anything that’s for him. We used to pay his gym and rugby membership before covid but think if he decides to rejoin now he should pay for it himself. We also had to cancel Disney+ and Netflix etc because of the expense, so if he wants to sign up again himself then that’s up to him.
He already pays for his own social stuff and transport to work. We will keep paying his phone for the next year until the contract runs out. He also has access to our car which we obviously pay for.
I have told him he will need to contribute in some way as child benefit stops this month. We wouldn’t expect him to pay a lot in the way of board (any suggestions?) but we aren’t rolling in money.
We had a rare family holiday this year and also had several big family events and weddings that had rolled forward because of Covid, so it’s been a hefty year financially. The family commitments involved long weekends away, suit hire/purchase, meals out, stag dos etc and we’ve paid for all of it; all we asked was that our son buys his own beer.
So: Am I Being Unreasonable for asking for a contribution to the board now he’s working and left education?
How much would people suggest we ask for?
When should we stop paying for all the stuff that’s just for him like clothes etc? Obviously we will still feed him!
I would really love to just keep supporting him but it’s a struggle. Thanks for taking the time to read.
