Teenager has just got her first pay packet in her summer job as a lifeguard/receptionist at the local leisure centre.
£450 - tax free.
Am I being unreasonable to expect some 'keep' from her?
According to Hellsbells I am. According to Teenager I am as well. In fact everyone seems to think I'm being unfair.
Except me.
When I left school and got my first pay packet I took home £20. I had to give £10 of that to my Mum for my keep. So on that principle I reckon Teenager owes me £225. I've offered a discount as she goes to college in September, and decided that 20% would be reasonable - that's £90, which would keep me in Guinness/Magners for a month probably, or let me buy bloke stuff more regularly. I could spend it at Stamford Bridge on Chelsea tops and other Chelsea merchandising, which would save me surreptitiously hitting my credit card and smuggling the goods in past Hellsbells.
As an aside, all blokes who get married have to smuggle stuff past their partners. Partners think that all spending by blokes on stuff we need is unnecessary and is therefore unauthorised. I need golf clubs, camera lenses, camera extras, Chelsea shirts, Chelsea shorts, Chelsea jackets, Chelsea mugs, Chelsea pint glasses, iPods, DVD's, golf accessories, mountain bike stuff, power tools and computer gadgets. Any man knows this type of thing is all absolutely necessary. So why do us blokes all (and we do all) accept the fact that we have to secretly buy the stuff, smuggle it in under the radar system that all women seem to have and then wait 6 months before publicly using/wearing it? Women don't have to do this of course. No need for smuggling when they know damn well us blokes couldn't give a damn what new clothes or shoes they've bought. When they show this stuff off us blokes all know the correct stock answer of
"Yes love, it looks great. It makes you look younger/thinner/sexier" (delete as appropriate) .
Maybe it's time for some GoGB Liberation to take place here. When I'm brave enough I'll start the Let Blokes Buy Stuff Campaign from here.
Back to the Parent Tax. Why can't I claim this 'parent tax' from Teenager? After all, Teenager has had 16 years of money, support, toys, DVD's, mobile phones, computers, clothes and love off of me.
Completely unconditionally of course.
Later GJ
4 comments:
I'm 35 so I'm not WAY old but I agree with you. Once kids start earning then they should contribute. If anything it's good to prepare them for what's about to happen when they bugger off into the big wide world themselves and it teaches them financial responsibility which they'll thank you for when they're in their 30's!
Totally disagree with you! This is a part-time job leading up to her return to College, so technically she is still in full-time education. Once she leaves and has a permanent job, then I agree, she should definitely contribute. Until then, the bank of Mum and Dad should remain open :-)
I knew you'd say that, after all you've just welcomed Teenager into The Coven as the newest member. I'm with Foxsden on this!
I would disagree but being the 'weediest' I won't dare! <):-p
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