Asking offspring for board

I didn't have to pay board when at home during uni holidays, but when I left and signed on for a few weeks I used to have to pay half the JSA in board (think it worked out about £15 out of a £30 a week income. I honestly can't remember what I paid when I got my job a few weeks later, but I can't imagine it being as little as that - I think it was probably about £50 a week. That was back in '97.

My aunt charged her kids £50 a week from when they turned 18 - if she didn't neither of them would have gotten off their arses and got a job!! Recently her daughter decided she didn't like her job so just left - aunt is still charging her because otherwise she wouldn't bother trying to find something else - its about trying to teach her responsibilities - if she was living away from home she wouldn't have been able to just quit on a whim! My aunt is on minimum wage and struggles to make ends meet whereas her son buys designer clother and drives a big flash car (he lives at home) so why shouldn't he pay his way?!

Was going to suggest what KJX said - I would prob charge her a higher amount and put some by for her, then she will have a deposit for a flat or something if she needs it.

I've recently bought a house with my mum and am now living with my mum, my sister (21) and my brother (16) and my little boy. I pay half the mortage, council tax and we have divided the bills, I think my mum ends up paying slightly more but not by much and she generally does the food shopping. We have it quite well balanced, but it's a big house and the running costs aren't cheap.

My sister quit her job 5 month ago and made mo attempt to find another and does not pay towards anything. She has loads of debts and credit cards and she helps herself to food etc and probably uses more utilities as she has generally been in all day, whereas my mum and I both work. She also still manages to go out every weekend.

My mum asked her for £200 a month and she just refused, saying my mum couldnt have what she hadn't got. She started her new job last week and my mum is expecting £200 from her first salarly and every month from now on. I spoke to her earlier in the week and she's told me she's not giving my mum anything. It's not just us being arsey about her living with us, it's just I think every adult living in the house should pay their own way. She just sees it as her right to live for free at her mum's house. My brother started his weekend job the other week and offered my mum board money. she didn't accept it but at least he offered! Anyway i could rant all day about my very fustrating sister but back to the original post I think its only fair you make your stepdaughter at least pay her own bills, like her mobile and an amoiunt she can reasonably afford towards the cost of living.

When I lived at home (which wasn't for long after I left school) my mum just said that I didn't have to pay board as long as i didn't cost her anything out of the ordinary (food and board) as she didn't need it. So as long as i bought my own clothes, paid for my own car and going out etc..

It depends on your own financial circumstances and nature I guess.

My little sis never paid board because my parents had supported my older sister and I through uni and it would be 'punishing her' for not going and admittidly a bit unfair. She paid for her car, phone clothes etc though.

12 years ago I was paying £350 a month to my dad when I was only earning £750 a month, so your daughter is getting off lightly!

I cant remember what i paid my parents at the time but when i left home to buy a house, he gave it all back to me which was a really nice surprise!

When i started working fulltime i paid £150 a month. When H moved into my room at my folks he paid £100 a month.

I never once felt like i shouldn't be paying my way. I did think it wasn't enough, but more than once i leant my folks money and never asked for it back, they offered, but i said they needed it more than me and let them have it.

Buttons x