My 11 year old asked how much I earn, at the dinner table, with her cousins listening

sage_paper_49628 Sept 2026

Cousins were over for dinner and my daughter asked, quite casually, how much I make in a month. Her cousin had apparently told her what his father earns. I said we'd talk about it later, which went down badly in front of everyone. I don't mind her understanding money. I'd like her to. I just don't want a number repeated at school or to the cousins, and I'm not sure a number means much at 11 anyway. What did you tell yours when they asked?

1 comment

lagoon_lantern_19628 Sept 2026
My son asked the same at about 9, also after a cousin. We didn't give the number. We sat down with one month's household bills instead, rent, groceries, school, electricity, and let him add them up. He was shocked by the electricity. It answered the question he was really asking, which was whether we're ok. Your daughter sounds like she'd enjoy that ❤
- sage_paper_49629 Sept 2026
  bills is a good idea. she'll say i'm dodging. we'll do it tonight with the grocery list and the school fee receipt
- sage_paper_49630 Sept 2026
  update: she did the month's bills with a calculator, went very quiet at the school fee, and has switched off the geyser twice since. calling that a win