itunes, family share, gift cards help

Hello Nathan,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Here is an article that provides information on purchases and payments within Family Sharing. Particularly notice the sections "Making purchases" and "Approving purchases with Ask to Buy".

When a family member initiates a new purchase it will be billed directly to your account unless that family member has gift or store credit. First, their store credit will be used to pay the partial or total bill. The remainder will bill to the family organizer's card.

and

You can turn on Ask to Buy to require approval for purchases initiated by any family member who is under 18 years old.*

Family purchases and payments - Apple Support

Regards,

Jeff D.

I am starting to assume that there is a different way to have redeemed the iTunes gift card that would of gone directly to his apple ID yet I would still have to/ be able to approve all purchases.

Nathan,

Yes, exactly. If a gift card is to be used for his purchases, redeem it to his account.