Money is power. Knowing what money is and how to use and save it effectively is freedom, something we all want for our children.
Shopping shouldn’t be a dreaded activity. Okay it’s not always the funnest with little ones, but it shouldn’t always be completely terrible. Throw the child in the cart, try and distract him when near anything they might want, mentally prepare to say no 500 million times when he asks for the “super cool ninja car”, or “the new legos”, or finally in desperation, “some gum”, and ignore any ensuing tantrums.
From the time my kids were big enough to talk and ask for things my standard response was, “Did you bring your money?” or if it’s something I actually want them to have, “Do you have enough money to pay me back when we get home?” Granted, when they were 2, they’d find a quarter on the floor and squeal in delight because now they had money and could go by the new truck they had been wanting -no system is perfect.
As they got bigger they started to connect the dots and began to ask for ways to earn money.
*This picture is of Max trying to decide how to spend his $2 – he settled on the ball*
Everyone has different needs and priorities when it comes to money, but this is what we do.Continue Reading