The hope was that these payments would teach children to save rather than spend. But not everyone was a fan of the idea. Sidonie Matsner Gruenberg, an influential writer and educator, argued that some uses of the allowances confused "the give-and-take of family life with the buy-and-sell of the market place"; a 1935 article in Parents' Magazine argued that the payments would turn a child into a "calculating, hard-bargaining adult."
"FAFO" might sound like frat-house slang or a punk show sticker, but it's also parenting's newest buzzword. Short for "F*** Around and Find Out," FAFO is less about shock value and more about natural consequences. Instead of endless lectures, kids learn by experience - sometimes the hard way. Whether it's skipping the raincoat or choosing Pop-Tarts for lunch, FAFO parenting trades control for safe, real-world lessons. Brutal? Maybe. But it makes sense.
The shift in parental age reflects societal changes, with men increasingly stepping into fatherhood later in life, as seen in figures showing older first-time fathers.
If you know anything about me, I'll celebrate the opening of an envelope. I just feel like that's what life is about. It's about celebrating the wins and the little moments and the big moments and everything in between.