As my daughter Katie neared her 18th birthday the inevitable challenge arose:
“I’m almost 18!” she huffed at me one day. “You need to start treating me like an adult!”
“I’ll treat you like an adult when you start acting like one,” I retorted firmly.
This led to a conversation about what it takes to be considered an adult. I explained to her that able-bodied adults pay their own way in the world. They don’t rely on Mommy and Daddy to support them. While they may not be rich, they have bills that they have to pay and they do.
“What if I start paying rent then?” Katie suggested. “If I pay half of the bills, would you start treating me like an adult?”
After I recovered from my surprise, Katie offered to begin paying half of the household expenses. Since I live very cheaply, that’s not as much as it seems. Two hundred dollars a month during the summer months, with more added to cover the extra heating expense when winter comes ended up being the amount we settled upon. We are both responsible for any personal expenses and we split the expense of buying food and supplies (like bathroom tissue) that we both use.
To be honest, I agreed to this with the belief that she would keep up the payments for a month or so and then start coming up with excuses. However, over six months have elapsed and she has paid her share of the expenses cheerfully. As a result, I now treat her like the adult that she wants to be treated as.
This not only solves the issue of dealing with a young lady on the cusp of adulthood, it teaches her how to budget in a safe environment. I keep the whole amount for the bills on hand in the event that something happens that prevents her from paying just in case. Instead of my daughter moving out to live with friends who may or may not be fiscally responsible with their share of the expenses, she gets to live with someone (mom) who knows how to make sure the bills are paid regardless.
It has also made life as a single parent easier. Instead of having to pay all of the bills, they are now halved. As a result, I actually have money to save or to use on those little extras I’ve sacrificed over the years (I’ll write more on that later).
How have you decided to teach fiscal responsibility to the young adults in your care? Please share your stories in the comments below.
Wow, Katie sure shows she is willing to pay what it takes to be treated like an adult. Some kids are more mature in many ways and that seems to be Katie. Is this her last year of high school?
Hi Cam!
Yes, she is a senior in high school. She currently takes a college class as well for dual credit, and has been accepted into one college already. I’m quite proud of how well she is doing!
I was floored when she offered and surprised when she kept it up. She has proven more responsible than I expected!
That says a lot about your parenting. Good job!
Thank you P!