Money is a tool, yet, there are so many feelings connected to money. Our kids need to to learn to handle money and learn what needs and wants are. I have written how our kids will spend money at the mall on bobo tea. It always 10-12 dollars. Our son did that twice until he learned to make it himself. He also was given the incentive of bank that amount and I will match it. We were in the tea shop at the mall this morning, I was picking up fabric at Joanne's, The woman behind me thought and stated 3x I was a terrible mother for saying don't buy the tea and I will match the price for your savings account. I have to say I was not in the best of moods, I fell over my total gym this morning when the neighbor's dog came into the garage. He is a young, very untrained puppy, I digress. I looked at her and said "We all make choices. He has the choice of using his own money, I could buy it for him, or match the price. Maybe you shouldn't be listening to other people's conversations." I was equally judging this very obese woman order 7 crossiant breakfast snadwiches and a very large milk shake. I could have been a petty and unkind person and bring that to her attention. She had ordered after me and sat down to eat that entire order.
I knew he was itching to go Gamestop to do a trade in and would want extra money. Neither Gamestop or the Tea shop are needs. Further education about needs vs. wants vs. wants.
Our daughter of course is a spender, she likes immediate gratification. We have tried to triple match to get her to save. She ordered a extra large tea drink and was on her way. In the interest of fair parenting, both children were set up with a saving account of 500 dollars. They are not allowed to withdraw from it for a year. Our son has doubled his account. Our daughter has not added to her account yet.
Teenagers need responsibilites, and the chance and the grace to make mistakes. Learning to manage money is a lifetime. It is the same as teaching your kids to be kind when people have issues. We sat down for breakfast and completed our African American History class. This woman continued to make comments. My husband said, "Kids, it takes all kinds to fill the freeway. I can see that she is getting on your mother's nerves."
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