One mother’s social media post about charging her 5-year-old daughter rent has gone viral. Essence Evans posted to Facebook about her unique approach to allowance: Although she gives her daughter a weekly allowance, she is teaching her the value of money by taking some of it back as “rent."
“Every week she gets $7 in allowance,” the bilingual singer, yogi and mother wrote on the social media site. “But I explained to her that in the real world most people spend most of their paycheck on bills with little to spend on themselves. So I make her give me $5 back.”
Evans charges her daughter $1 each for rent, water, electricity, cable and food, but lets her keep $2 to save or spend her own way. “Now, what she doesn't know is the $5 is actually going away in her savings account, which I will give back to her when she turns 18. So if she decides to move out on her own she will have $3,380 to start off.”
Since posting on Sunday, the status has received 209,000 likes and reactions as well as over 295,000 shares. Many of the 41,000 comments are positive and find Evan’s plan to be a great way to teach children the value of money.
“Love it!!! Taught our daughter, along the same guide lines, no regrets,” commented one Facebook user.
“This is cool. I had my son pay the Internet bill when he was in middles school. I had rent, electricity, and other bills to pay ... it worked out well,” wrote another.
But some felt that $7 was not enough of a weekly allowance for the 5-year-old who still has to pay “rent” and suggested their own plan. “Like the idea but give her a bone,” read one response. “If she has to pay $5 for rent then make her allowance $10. Everyone (hopefully) has money for at least a pizza after paying the bills. Hell, a slice is $2.50”
Regardless of anyone’s opinion, Evans advocates that her post be shared for other mothers to see and to be used as a guideline to teach children about the value of a dollar. She is continuing to give parenting advice using Facebook as a platform and just today posted a status offering instruction on how to get your child to listen.
What do you think? Would you charge your child "rent"? Share your thoughts in the comments.
