How Your Financial Management Affects Your Kids

by: WilliamBlake
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Children are great imitators, learning by what they see other people, especially their parents, doing. Children also learn how to care for financial matters by observing what their parents do, so setting a good example will help them later on in life financially.

A parent that spends money today without giving thought to tomorrow will almost certainly teach their child to do the same. Using money as a means to an end is not a good lesson to pass on. Money is important because it is a necessary tool of life. Money does not turn a house into a home, but it does keep a roof over one's head and food on the table.

Money that is handled with respect is money that will be around for more than one day. Lack of money is the reason why many couples in a marriage argue. Parents that come from two different backgrounds when it comes to money will likely butt heads. Before the children become adversely affected, the parents need to talk out their differences and come to a common viewpoint on how to handle the family finances.

Parents have not all had great examples of how to save money in their pasts to look to, and learning to do so does not happen overnight. Reading books or taking classes on money management can help end bad financial practices and will also influence children in positive ways when it is shared with them, perhaps at family meetings.

If the family doesn't have a financial plan, start one. Gathering the family together to do this is another way to include children in financial decisions. Being part of a family meeting shows children the role money plays in the home. Family meetings can be a place to voice any concerns about money and to find answers together.

As a child, my family didn't have a lot of money. When I was old enough to have a job, I would spend my money on whatever I wanted. I didn't want to live a life where I was deprived of things because I didn't have money. I worked hard, but spent every cent.

When I became an adult, these same practices presented me and my family with financial difficulties. Although my parents were not wrong, they could have been more right by allowing me to be part of financial decisions or at least talking to me about money more. I just had to go with what I saw as the truth about money.

Teaching children about money is certainly preferable to simply leaving them alone to figure out financial things. Let children be part of conversations on big financial adjustments in the family so they know how things will be handled. This does not mean, however, that children have to know about every little decision you make regarding money.

Childrens view of money can definitely be affected by how their parents choose to handle it, for better or for worse. It is important to remember that kids are always watching, so let them see good financial practices that they can learn to imitate.

About the Author

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