The other day, my teenager casually mentioned that they need a credit card. Not want—need. Like it’s a basic necessity, right up there with Wi-Fi and overpriced sneakers.
“Mom, I’m responsible,” they said. “I know how money works.”
Oh, really? This is coming from the same child who once spent their entire birthday money on novelty socks and vending machine candy. The same kid who thinks a “budget” means making sure they have enough left over for extra guac at Chipotle.
I asked the obvious question: “Why do you need a credit card?”
Their response? “Emergencies.”
Oh yes, because nothing says “emergency” like a sudden, desperate need for Starbucks or yet another online hoodie purchase. Apparently, I’ve been misinformed about what qualifies as a crisis.
They tried to argue that having a credit card would teach them financial responsibility. That’s like saying giving a toddler a flamethrower will teach them fire safety. Let’s be real—if I handed my teen a credit card, I’d wake up the next morning to find them buried under Amazon packages, trying to convince me that a life-sized inflatable dinosaur was an “investment.”
I told them they can practice with a debit card first. You know, real money. Their money. That suggestion was met with dramatic sighs and an eye roll so powerful, I felt a gust of wind.
For now, the Bank of Mom remains closed. But I have a feeling I’ll be hearing about this again—probably right after they “accidentally” max out my DoorDash account.