Is it normal for parents to ask their kids for money?

I'm an 18 year old girl and I work as cashier at a supermarket. My mother on the other hand works as a lunch lady. Before I had a job, even as a child I never asked my mother for money, and now that I do she askes me all the time for gas money for her car and to buy her this and buy her that. She know I don't make that much. I don't say know because she my mother and I feel bad about us being poor. I do get mad when I give her money as well and she knows it.......................Im I wrong for not wanting to give her money, or I shouldn't feel bad and not give her all my money.

Voting Results
51% Normal
Based on 59 votes (30 yes)
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Comments ( 6 )
  • Mando

    If you are living at home and working as an adult it is not unusual to be asked to contribute. And just because you didn't ask for money, there are expenses in your upkeep (groceries, rental space etc.). Room and board at home is cheaper than living on your own, but even at home these are expenses that you'd also incur if you weren't at home.

    So maybe work out what is reasonable in terms of your earnings. That way you can plan/budget for that expense, know how much is for you and how much you want to save. If you are new to money management look for budgeting advice in the community.

    With a reasonable budget you can help mom out by taking over some (or even all depending on how much you make) of your upkeep, not get constantly hit on, have something for you and manage your finances so you are in control.

    If you are not living at home, however, you may need to say no more often if it's simply because you can not afford it. Again, if you have a budget, you know where you stand with your money.

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  • bananaface

    I'm not sure what would be considered normal with this one. In my family, it is assumed that when you get a job, you'll "pay board" to your family, if you're still living with them. It's normal where I am, but I know some people who think this is outrageous. So I'm a bit torn. It is your money, it's your decision what you do with it. I personally would dislike having to give my parents money if they were just going to squander it. If it's going towards the bills though, then I'd be fine with that. As long as she's not bleeding you dry.

    As for whether it's wrong or not, I don't think it's wrong to not want to give her your money. You earned that money, it's yours, not hers. There's not really an obligation for kids to give their parents money. If she's struggling badly, then I'd consider helping out financially as doing the right thing. To be honest though, it's supposed to be the other way. She's supposed to support you, not the other way around. Although it doesn't always work out like that. Not sure if it's normal though, I think it depends on your background.

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  • Itisok

    I put no well because the parents should be wealthy enough for them to have there own money

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  • ohplease

    Torn. I think you two need to sort this out. If she wants you to pay some sort of board, I don't think it's unreasonable, especially if money is tight. But I think it's unreasonable of her to sort of hit and run ask for it. You never know when it's coming or for how much, or how frequently. How can you ever know how much money you have or save for anything or have any sort of financial stability in your life at all if she hits you with that sort of thing? I think that if she wants you to give her money, she has to let you know how much and when, and it has to be an amount you find reasonable. Additionally, officially calling it board that you're paying her for the privlege of living in her house and food, etc, prevents her from trying to keep getting money out of you once you move out. I'm not saying it's something she will do; I don't know her, but by giving a name and a date and an amount to what you pay her, it makes your life easier now and later.

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  • NeuroNeptunian

    If you're living at home, you should definitely consider paying her board (which, as stated above, is cheaper than your own place). That way, you can give her a set amount, no more, no less, and if she can't work with that amount of your income then she needs to budget better herself.

    If you're not living at home, then I would think that your helping her would be optional. If you want to send her a stipend, then I'd say do that and refuse to give her any more and if not then just tell her you can't afford it. What can she tell you that you couldn't tell her right back? "Make more money"?

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  • americanhoney

    This made me :(
    I hope you can work it out.

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