We Need Money
We need money, each and every one of us does. Our needs, wants, and so much more is attained through money. As adults, we understand more and more the necessity of money, but we also experience the pain it brings forth as we go through the struggle to get the money we need to get by, as well as the financial turmoil we face in different points in life.
Discuss Money with Your Children
With the constant need for money and the role that it plays in our lives, discussing money with children from an early age might not be such a bad idea. With the wide range of topics that fall under money, it might be a good idea to narrow them down.
It needs to be stressed, though, that children learn through example. All the talks in the world will not make make up for the one example that a parent or guardian sets.
A few of the topics that you can discuss with your children relative to money are:
Money is essential, but it cannot replace other important things in life:
Children need to understand the role that money should play in their lives. They surely need to understand the value of money, but their understanding should not be an exaggerated or even an under emphasized one. They need to learn that money cannot replace relationships, time, love, and many other things that they will have in life. These are things that they will start to understand from a young age and will continue to learn more about as they get older.
Spending too much or being too miserly. Both are bad characteristics:
Children need to be taught that spending excessively, even if one has the means, is not a good thing. Life is unpredictable; they may not always have the amount they have today. Similarly, if they have the money, to withhold it and refuse to spend on what is needed is also wrong. Striking a balance is what needs to be mastered in everything, including financial matters.
The importance of charity:
Children need to understand and even experience the beauty of charity and giving. The blessing of money needs to be appreciated. This appreciation is shown by spending wisely, as well as by giving to others who are less fortunate. Let children give charity from their own savings; let them feel the joy of bringing joy to others.
Children need to learn that money can help us achieve things and get our essentials, but money cannot define us. Our actions define us. How we make our money (whether through good or bad means) defines us, how we spend our money defines us, when and where we spend our money defines us. Through all these definitions, we will find a place for ourselves.
Each one of us has to aspire to make a special place for ourselves in the world. Money is a tool, a means, a medium; it is not an end.
At the end of the day, money will help you get things, but will not define you:
