Anyone who reads this post I think it would be a good idea to participate in the poll to the right. I was talking about my vacation to New Zealand with a few friends and they were asking if Sam was going. Sam is 20 years old and hasn’t had much experience out of the country. My initial thought was that if Sam wanted to go he could pay for himself and join us on the trip. They disagreed and wondered why my parents wouldn’t pay for him to go. From personal experience, I haven’t taken a dime of my parents money since I was 18. Now I know they paid for my education which is a bill I’d probably still be paying but I paid my rent and any books and random BS since I was 18 without a handout from my parents. I worked during the Summers to pay my way through the year. Now I don’t necessarily agree that my parents should pay for a vacation like this that probably costs about 2,000 dollars. I’m curious to know what other people think about parents paying for their children to take trips? Is 18 the cut off? Is 21? Where does it end if ever? Any thoughts?
Well, money was indeed one reason (though not the only reason) I opted not to go. Obviously there’s two scenarios if I go. Mom & dad pay for me or I pay for myself. I have to money to go but in all honesty, I don’t know if I would want to pay that much for it.
On the other hand, I would feel too bad taking mom and dads money knowing that I could be paying for it. They’re paying their 14th year of tuition right now for all of us combined and as their kid I couldn’t justify taking the money. Since I don’t know if I’d want to pay for it myself, along with other things, I decided not go.
If it was say $500 I would be more likely to pony up but at the same time, I wouldn’t feel as bad taking $500 from them. Does a higher cost warrant full payment from parents or no payment? Probably somewhere in the middle.
By the way I also buy my own books and have been pretty self-sufficient since I’ve gone to college. I might even buy my own car this summer since Barney died.
Also, I forgot to mention that the results from the last poll were absolutely mind-blowing. I just can’t see wiping up to down, that seems insane.
Also, (I know I would hate to see that a post had 3 comments and see that they’re all from the same person, but hey it will probably draw in more comments anyway) I think you meant your poll to say ‘over 18’ not under.
I meant under.
I think it obviously depends on the family’s financial security and the value placed on a once in a lifetime opportunity. In my opinion, which may not be agreed upon but again it’s just my opinion, i would make sure my brother was in on this experience. While $2,000 is a lot of money, I just don’t think the money here outweighs the chance to visit a sibling across the world with the rest of the family. I’d probably see how much the younger bro felt comfortable putting up, then would talk to my other sibling(s) and parents about spotting the rest. When my younger bro graduates and is on his own, he would eventually cover the rest of the trip. Now again, this all depends upon how bad the younger bro would feel in this instance or if they think the effort is not worth it in the end- but a trip with the fam to New Zealand is pretty awesome and you don’t want to regret later not going or not having your brother there.
This particular situation is a microcosm of the bigger question of when parents are no longer responsible for their children. If the disposable income allows this opportunity, I think that parents should cut their children off at 18. There is a balance between handouts and tough love. The experience is something that a young lad may never get again but we were given a lot and there’s a breaking point of when enough is enough. As a grown up, Sam makes this decision for himself and I think that he made a choice. At his age it’s hard to say if there’s a realization that this opportunity doesn’t come around that often compared to the value of a dollar. I see the argument that a parent can step in and make that choice for him but that doesn’t constitute learning. This is how you grow as an individual and there is no right answer.
I meant over.
I know I’m hogging the comments but I also wanted to comment on the wiping up to down. This method means that you are wiping your shit into your balls. I prefer clean balls.
i agree with the shee(e). i think it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we could work out the money situation if that were the issue. sam even admits he can pay for the trip so in this case money itself isn’t the problem. this is an interesting issue because i do agree parents should cut the children off at some point but i’m 26 and am probably still given more than i should be. i’m super close to our family and i’d rather have a close relationship that crosses this line you speak of. i’m not paying in full up front for this trip. should i not be allowed to go?
If you have raised a child that would expect you to shell out the cash it would take for a trip to NZ without considering the fact that maybe they should be contributing their own hard earned money; I believe that your mistake has been made well before the decision for the trip has even come up…Their is a give and take in this particular scenario where the Child (young adult) should want to a certain degree to feel financially independent, but should not give up on incredible opportunities because they are afraid of appearing like a spoiled kid…Money is something that will be coming and going your entire life, and by all means, you could get hit by a bus any day. As a parent, if you feel confident enough that you have raised your child well and that he/she is becoming a good person, their should be no “cut off age” as to when you will help them financially. What goes around comes around, and good deeds aren’t easily forgotten. Sam should be taking this trip…
Apologies for my “there” typos