It's almost as bad as the people who say the eight-year-old will understand why mommy is taking away their saved money.

@34 As a person who has experienced periods where there just wasn't enough money, I object to being called an idiot: the fact is that planning DID fail here. I agree that shit does indeed happen, but if you cannot absorb one bad month or if EVERY month is a bad month either way then you need to go back to the drawing board.

#40 I've borrowed money from my four year old and she understood so I'm pretty sure an eight year old would understand. #44 You have no idea what OP's situation is so why are you assuming that it happens to them every month? And planning doesn't always go as planned, it's life not a virtual reality.

@47, Please read my comment, as I never assumed that. I said 'if you cannot absorb one bad month or if EVERY month is a bad month'. Don't criticize if you cannot understand what I am saying. The fact is, I have lived it. You are right that a plan sometimes fails, but when it does then it is still a call to reevaluate the plan, not to just shrug your shoulders and say 'life sucks.'

@47, moreover, whether you feel it is a planning failure is not the point. The real point is that my opinion, which is not intended as a bash at OP but what I feel is a rational and constructive view, does NOT make me an idiot. 34 is being very disrespectful and rude to posters who are trying to be constructive. Even if the she disagrees with our point of view, it is no excuse for calling us names.

People are still assuming that OP didn't plan, as you have, and maybe OP doesnt have time to reevauluate that plan before the bills need to be paid. "Its called financial responsibility" "suck it up and ask friends and family" "make better plans.". All of these comments are from your own post. Do you plan a storm making a tree fall on your house? New tire going flat? Anything like this that would screw someone for the month?

Yeah at that age I was learning how to balance a checkbook at school. I would definitely understand and I will make sure my kids do too at that age.

How is it stealing to borrow from your child? I have borrowed money off my kids and they didn't care. You know why? Because it always comes back, sometimes with interest and they often get bought stuff just because I feel like spending it on them. Do they know the value of money? Yes they do. They also know the value of a roof over their head.

#38 didn't say borrowing is the same a stealing. Op said they were going to steal the money from their child, not borrow it. And yes, taking money from your kid without telling them IS stealing, not borrowing.

You're a good person. Some day you'll look back and feel good about yourself and all the help you gave. It may not be much to you, but it means the world to her. She had given up so much for you, and just being willing to help shows how much you care about her and the family.