Children need to learn to manage financially; small children are totally dependent on their parents for money. The expectation is that adults will be manage for themselves. Money is a curious concept - although we all agree that the most important things in life can not be bought, almost everything requires an understanding of economic worth. Very young children assume that money is in never-ending supply. Hence the exasperated five year old who suggests that you 'just go and get some more from the bank!' if you say you have run out of cash. Older children have little idea of the expense of everyday living and tend to prioritise their wishes over the needs of the household; most children don't need to consider how electricity or food or clothes are paid for. It is a good idea to try and teach children financial responsibility when it doesn't matter, when they have no formal responsibilities. Indeed younger children enjoy determining how much of their income they can spend on sweets or presents or a hair product. You can enable a financial maturity through pocket money and an increasing responsibility.
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