Because most teens have not had the experience of getting to the end of the money before the end of the month, the words, ``I can't afford it,'' have little or no meaning.
Here's what can happen in lots of homes:
``Mom, can I get a new (fill in the blank)?''
``No, honey, I'm sorry, but we can't afford it.''
``But mo-mom. Everybody else has one!''
``No, we can't afford it.''
``But mo-mom, (lots of words involving hassling and bugging).''
``We can't afford it!''
Repeat this process a few times and here's what you get:
``Alright, you can have it, just this once. But don't ask for anything else!''
Yeah, right.
What the kid learns is that what "we can't afford it" really means is I just haven't bugged and hassled enough.
Here's a very concrete way to teach kids about money, where it all goes, and what ``we can't afford it'' really means.
This one can work for kids middle-school age and above.
Parents, take your next paycheck to the bank and have it cashed in all one dollar bills. (The bank tellers are going to just love me!) Bring it home and call a family meeting. On the kitchen table, make a pile of all the ones. Then separate all the household bills into their own separate pile. For each bill, (house payment, car payment, braces, health insurance, electric bill, etc.) count out the one dollar bills and place them in the appropriate pile.
In this way, kids get to see a very clear visual picture of where the money goes. It gives them a context for understanding "we can't afford that right now."
All of these suggestions and techniques serve to teach teens about the successful management of money in their lives. Come to think of it, these suggestions could be useful for grown-ups as well.
Visit parentingyourteenager.com for tips and tools for thriving during the teen years. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 5 day e-program on parentingyourteenager.com
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Have you ever had this struggle with your teens? Did... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More
For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More
What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
Do you ever wonder what is behind the occasional nasty... Read More
The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent more than the... Read More
You know that children can get into trouble. The older... Read More
In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying... Read More
I have always been aware of my number one weakness:... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge.... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..It is extraordinary times that we find ourselves in. Change... Read More
The advances in science over the past century have been... Read More
For every season, check, check, check, There is a chart,... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
Cardiovascular endurance is one of the five health-related components of... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Just two days ago, another 15-year old child was added... Read More
Nail biting in all its various forms is problematic... Read More
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems?... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More
It was at that time when our marriage was falling... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
In my opinion, these things matter...1. Enjoying childlike delights before... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part... Read More
When a child wets the bed they worry. Children tend... Read More
Did you know that you are the most important person... Read More
Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More
4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
Parenting |