Dad pressures teenage son to give him his first $600 paycheck because it's "tradition" to give your parents your first paycheck: 'I'm trying to save for a car.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Jun 5, 2026 8:30 PM EDT

That's called stealing! 

Some parents make it their life's mission to do everything they can to support their child, while also taking care of their own retirement so their child doesn't have to take on the burden of caring for them in old age. Other parents tell their children from age five that they need to succeed in life so they can support them through retirement and give them everything they deserve. There's obviously some middle ground between these two extremes, as well as some socioeconomic factors at play. Sometimes a parent really needs financial help from their adult child, and if the child is willing to give it, that's all well and good. But if a parent wants their child's money just because they feel entitled to it, because they raised them, their intentions are probably not pure. 

When someone suddenly becomes successful, their relationship with their family can change drastically. If you publish a book that becomes a bestseller, your Great Aunt Susan might start calling you a lot more after years of her dismissing your little creative projects. Sometimes, you don't know how success will change your relationships with your family until it happens, but other times, you can clearly see the writing on the wall. 

The kid in this story isn't even a great success yet! He's just a normal teenager with a part-time job, and his parents already want his money. His dad says it's tradition for kids to give their parents their first paycheck so they can pray over it, but this kid is rightfully not buying that. 

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  • Cheezburger Image 10636425984
    via Stella St. Clair

    An actor pretending to be a father, who insists on taking his teenage kid's first-ever paycheck at his first job. 

  • My dad says its tradition to give your parents your first paycheck, I am not okay with it.

    My dad recently talked to me about how when I get my first paycheck its tradition to give your parents it and whatever else so they can take some and pray over it and
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • pocket it. I am completely uncomfortable with this and this is my will be my first pay check ever my check is more then likely going to be close to 600
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • bucks and I really do not want to give him this money hes financially irresponsible aside from that I'm an atheist. I wouldnt really care if he said he wanted to pray
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • over my check but he wants to take it and pocket it. Main point is I do not want to give him my check he cant force me to right? I dont know what
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • to do and I'm trying to save money for genuine things like a car and a way to move out when I am of age. Yes I am a minor.
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • FOR SALE
    via Matt Alaniz

    A depiction of a used car, which a teenage could hypothetically save up for, if his dad isn't taking money out of his paycheck and spending it on himself. 

  • Pitiful_Lion7082 It might be a tradition in some places, but I've never heard of it. If he could just be trying to take your money. It is YOUR money, and you didn't need to give it to him. Make sure he does not have ANY access to your bank account
    via u/Pitiful_Lion7082
  • whendoesitend-- OP My mom is the only one who has access to my bank account but she can be very easily influenced by my dad. So I should probably see if I can find somewhere that'll allow a minor to open an account. Thank you for your feedback I thought I was going crazy.
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • Elliskarae Sometimes even minors don't need an adult on the account if you're over 16, or even over 14. Depends on the country and bank. Look up your current one and call them to remove your mom, or find one that doesn't need an adult. If your pay gets automatically deposited, make sure your workplace either give you the first one in hand or have your new bank details.
    via u/Elliskarae
  • whendoesitend-- OP Thank you I believe my first check will be a paper check so I will pocket it till I am able to open my own account. It's hard to go out on my own however because the stalk my location and withhold my legal documents from me specifically the ones I would need to use to open an account.
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • 22 $ DOLLARS Seculty F includes Details on
    via Money Knack

    A picture of a physical paycheck, which can't be deposited into an account that doesn't have the receiver's name on it. 

  • Rambler9154 The second you turn 18 in the US you can call the cops on them if they don't give you that paperwork. Once you turn 18 its your property, you own it, they cannot withhold it from you. Im not sure how it is prior to the age of 18. You could also cash the check, withdraw the money, then hide the cash if you happen to have a safe place to hide it where they wouldn't be able to find it if they won't cause significant damage demanding the money. In theory you could invest it immediately s
    via u/Rambler9154
  • corgi-king Just tell him this tradition will end in this generation.
    via u/corgi-king
  • PumpikAnt58763 Oh, it's definitely a tradition. The tradition is called. "Oh! My son/daughter is now earning money that I can steal!" No. It's not a "tradition". It's a parent stealing from their child.
    via u/PumpikAnt58763
  • Kasmashlecrashle No, he can't force you to. Regardless of if his parents did the same and his parents' parents did the same and blah blah blah, it's your money. He has no right to your money. Him being financially irresponsible does cause me to believe he's lying to you, either way. Call up your grand parents, if you can and want to test if he's being legit. But, no. Don't give him your money.
    via u/Kasmashlecrashle
  • whendoesitend-- OP Yeah my grandparents are the og gold diggers constantly asking for money to the point where he wasnt able to buy us things because he kept sending money to his family back home. I'm afraid of how things may escalate though. My mom has never even mentioned that about my paycheck she was just talking about how I can put it in a savings account or something if I want it so I think its a ploy for money. My mom manages my teen account so I dont know what options I have there.
    via u/whendoesitend--
  • Finevitus Ummm...depending on where his lives, if he is a minor, dad CAN force him too. Im not saying its right. I think its downright scummy. But your statement may be factually incorrect
    via u/Finevitus
  • Glittering Art7981 Traditions are made to be broken
    via u/Glittering_Art7981
  • 100_Weasels Next pay your dad gunna be like "Its tradition to give grandad your second paycheck.... dont worry I can pass it onto him"....
    via u/100_Weasels
  • whendoesitend-- OP God forbid those people ever find out I have a job they'll start calling my phone for money real quick..
    via u/whendoesitend--

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saving money stealing teenagers bank account dad family paycheck mom money son
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