<p>Unless you know for sure that your dad would be proud of you, then I wouldn’t tell him. No need to offer up that info. It’s none of his business.</p>
<p>there are some people who can’t handle such things. My FIL was one. </p>
<p>My own dad was tickled pink that his kids earned more than he did. My FIL…not so much.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t get into details about these things. I can’t remember if I told my parents about starting salary levels, but it became clear in a few years that I couldn’t tell them what I made. I agree with Mom2CK above. You might be disappointed in what happens. Keep it to yourself, imo.</p>
<p>OP has said that his/her dad will ask - point blank…so how do you respond if you don’t intend to share the info? It might be MORE offensive to withhold the information.</p>
<p>I agree though, in general. My parents know I make more than they do, but they don’t know how much anymore. They knew when I started out, but not now.</p>
<p>I have a parent who is competitive with offspring, and I know many parents who seem ambivalent: happy for their kids, but also reacting to their success by seeing themselves as a failure in comparison. It can be hard to understand for parents who do not function that way, and I can only speculate that the kids’ successes just spark some unsatisfied longings in those parents, which is sad.</p>
<p>I don’t know what advice to offer but just want to say I understand and you are not alone in this dynamic.</p>
<p>If you can answer the question neutrally, your Dad may answer one way and feel another, and the ramifications may ripple out, but try to stay centered yourself, recognize your accomplishment and your relatively early independence, and understand that your father needs to deal with his feelings- they are not created by you, they are his alone.</p>
<p>I have no idea what my son makes. He chooses not to tell his father and me, and we respect that decision. </p>
<p>My husband made the same decision with his own parents. He chose to keep his finances private, always. </p>
<p>My daughter did disclose her starting salary to her father and me, and I have a general idea of what she earns now, with the raises she has received since then. But I do not know exactly, and I do not plan to ask.</p>
<p>Unless a young person is considering taking a job that pays such a low salary that some financial help from the family would be needed, I don’t see why the information needs to be shared.</p>
<p>And it works both ways - I did not tell my father my salary (after my initial job offer out of college) and I did not want to know his either.</p>
<p>My daughter probably has an idea of how much her parents make (although not the exact amount) and since she is still in college she had nothing to tell us. When she looks for her first full time job it will be her prerogative whether or not to tell us.</p>
<p>Dont lie. Your dad will surely be proud of you. You dont have to disclose the salary- you can be vague if you prefer-- just say its a generous offer. If he presses, then you can feel free to share it. My DS was just offered a sweet salary. Not quite what DH makes, but not too far away. We are thrilled for him, as your dad will surely be!
Congrats!</p>
<p>My son is in the same situation, had an internship this summer, received an offer for after graduation and accepted. It’s about $25k more than we expected. I’m very happy for him. I didn’t make that much until I was about 55. Considering I helped pay for his education, though scholarships payed the bulk of it, I feel I’m entitled to know his starting salary 
(kind of entitled, if he chose not to tell me I wouldn’t push it). I don’t expect to know from here on out unless he chooses to tell me. But it’s very comforting to me to know he is getting a good start on adult life. I do understand that there are some who might react differently but I wouldn’t lie.</p>
<p>OP’s dad seems to focus on salary and money, so he will probably expect to get an answer. Don’t lie. Obviously he raised a good son who is concerned about his feelings. Be proud of yourself and what you accomplished. Your dad will get over it. I agree that I wouldn’t give updates down the line, but be humble and gracious and take them out to dinner!</p>
<p>My dear daughter did me the favor of asking what I made when I graduated and then adjusting it for inflation. The result: I am making the same as I did in 1980. I do work less than full time.</p>
<p>I know my kids will both make more than I do. I think it is great. My guess is that your dad will be thrilled and there will be high-fives all around. We want our kids to be successful. Congrats!</p>
<p>If he asks, tell him honestly. It’s just money. Money does not equal self-worth. I’m sure he will be proud that his investment in you is paying off and that you will be able to support yourself.</p>
<p>I also say things to my kids like I will expect a really nice addition onto their houses when I am old.</p>
<p>Both of my daughters earn more than I do. The new PA is going to be more than double my salary.</p>
<p>Treat your father with dignity and respect. Than means telling him your true salary, if he asks. If you lie and he later finds out, he may feel that you were pitying him or treating him like a child.</p>
<p>OP, you obviously know your father better than people on a message board. I would trust your feelings on this one and hesitate to take advice from a bunch of strangers. Our D right out of college makes almost as much as my H after 30+ years at his job, which is fine with him, but I do know parents for whom this would be an issue.</p>
<p>You don’t know what life will bring ~ although you should feel very proud, no question, life has twists and turns. You don’t need to see this as a permanent leapfrog over your father. My guess is that he would be extremely proud of you if he knew. But the classy approach is not to mention it, unless asked directly. This would be the same approach as with a sibling, other relative, or a neighbor.</p>
<p>Tell him. Like every parent, he is probably worrying in this economy if you will be ok. Give him this joy and make sure you convey to him, as you did to us, your appreciation for everything he has done for you. This is what he has worked for all of his life. Congratulations to you and your parents!</p>
<p>If you’ve always been honest with him, tell him if he asks; don’t start lying now. If you’ve lied to him before, he may not believe you anyway.</p>
<p>I still think you should take him out to dinner.</p>
<p>I don’t think he should lie, but every question does not deserve an answer. I think an answer like, “more than I expected” or “a good amount” or something is sufficient.</p>
<p>If he asks, tell him honestly. It’s just money. Money does not equal self-worth</p>
<p>I agree that money doesn’t equal self-worth, but not everyone is emotionally healthy about such things. My FIL was jealous of everything…people’s homes, cars, money, etc.</p>
<p>I agree with cromette (post 23). Be honest and tell him but express your true thanks for how he worked to give you the opportunity to get to this point. Be responsible with your nice income - don’t squander it. If your parents have any student loans for your education you could offer to assume them. Invest wisely. We parents feel success when our contributions to our childrens’ futures brings them to a place that is more comfortable, less troublesome than we had in our own lives. I can’t wait for my children to earn more than my husband and me!</p>