What's a suitable cerfew and allowance for a 13 year old?

Question

I am going to be having custody over my 13 year old niece and I was wondering what is a suitable cerfew and allowance? She will be doing chores (making the beds, doing laundry cleaning dishes, what the average teen has to do) and she does baby-sit. I have two small girls (8 weeks and 18 months) and she promised to help with them, so that's another chore. I am willing to give her any ammount that is fair.

Her bedtime is 10:30 on week nights and whenever she wants on the weekends. After midnight she has to be very quiet though.

I'll be paying for the clothes I think are appropriate for her. She can buy clothes she likes with her own baby sitting money. I don't really like 8:00 because she baby-sits already up to 9:30.

She has to have a cerfew, because she hangs out with friends and baby-sits and goes on dates and since she's moving across the country to live with me to a city she doesn't know that well, I don't want her to be out all night.

Answer 1

Curfew - 8:00 school nights, 9:30 weekends
Allowance - $20 to $30 a week.

Answer 2

I'm 13, and I get $10 a week from my dad with chores (my parents are divorced), and my mom gives me $120 a month, but I have to pay for everything myself. This includes clothes, school supplies, books, music, and my school lunches. Since she has to babysit your kids too, and small childeren can be kind of a hastle, I'd set it anywhere between $10-15. I don't think you really need to worry about a curfew, because 13 year olds really don't go out much. Know where she is at all times (at a friend's house, at the movies), and know what time it will end. If it's after 11, that's probably too late, but I'd set it generally around 10 pm. And stuff like that shouldn't be every night, just on Fridays or Saturdays.

Answer 3

I personally don't think that a 13 year needs a curfew since they are to young to be out by themselves. Now an early movie with friends on the weekend or something is fine. As long as you know where she is then that shouldn't be a big deal. As for an allowance I would say between 7-10 dollars. She should keep her room picked up and help out with a few household chores, maybe vacuum and dishes a couple of nights a week. The most important thing is homework though!

Answer 4

I don't think a 13 year old should be out by themselves. If she's out, make sure there is a responsible adult around. However, there are instance that she might be by herself like at a b-day party or a school dance. Those should be chaperoned as well. I would suggest no later than 10:00.
I think $10.00 is a reasonable amount to pay for chores if you're going to give her an allowance. However, you may want to consider paying her by the chore. What if she doesn't do one of them?
I think you re very brave and kind for taking on such a responsibility. I had to do that about 10 years ago when my niece was 16 years old. It's not easy and I wish you well.

Answer 5

At 13 she doesn't need to be going out on dates. School or church sponsored events are ok. But if she is going to be hanging out with her friends (like at the mall or something) then I'd say 9:30 or 10:00. If she is babysitting then a curfew doesn't really apply. You just need to know when the parents plan to be home and what time they will have her home. As for allowance I'd say $8 -$10 a week. You might give her a little extra for extra babysitting, but I think paying her for babysitting should be separate from allowance.

I would really think twice about letting her go out on dates and hang out at night with her friends. It sounds like she was allowed to run wild before. Why do you have custody of her anyway. What would you do if she was your daughter, not your niece?

Answer 6

Curfew I think should be based on the situation, like the time a movie may let out or a dance is over. But for hanging out with friends, I would say between 9 and 10. I myself don't believe in allowance. I think it takes every member of the family to make a house run. There are certain things that are expected of each member such as making beds, tidying up after yourself, helping with dinner preparation and clean up, etc. As for extra chores, such as helping clean out the garage or spring cleaning, I would offer a few dollars, a new item of clothes, or an outing. By not paying a child for daily chores shows them how important they are to the family and how much they are needed in the family, in turn boosting their self esteem. As for babysitting, I would pay her what you would your average baby sitter.

Answer 7

I'm sorry but I think 13 to young to date. I think during school nights her curfew should be 10:00 p.m. If that, she shouldn't go out on school nights. Weekends maybe midnight is good. She will be making beds, doing laundry, dishes and babysitting? That's a lot. I would give her $25 a week like the other person said.

Answer 8

for allowance i would give her between $10 and $20 a week. and i dont think anyone under the age of 18 is allowed out without their parent past 10? but im not sure but i would say she has to be home by 8:30 on school nights and she's not allowed out unless all her chores and housework are finished. i would say mabey 10:00 on weekends but i wouldnt let her out at alll without a parent any time.

Answer 9

for babysitting your kids i would pay $5 an hour. For chores $10 a week. as far as bed time goes 9:30 is reasonable for week nights but i would say 10:30 weekends.

Answer 10

Pay her per chore if it's warranted.

And I don't think that a curfew should be an issue, because I don't think a 13 year old should be out at night at all, unless it's to a chaperoned event. If she has to have a curfew though, 10:00.