What are our children learning during these tough economic times? »
Posted By Newperson 10 months, 3 weeks ago in Family
While we brood over the decreasing values of our homes, savings and 401Ks, we may not realize we have an audience. Our children are watching and taking notes for the future.
I wonder what they're learning.
It's important that we not be so preoccupied by our own flailing finances that we forget to teach our children how to manage theirs.
Whether we believe we are victims or co-creators of our present fiscal crisis, we must help our children understand it so they won't make the same mistakes. We might often feel powerless to face our own circumstances, but we must equip our children for what lies ahead
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Newperson
From the day we are born were all travelers just passing through. And i'm happy to have a wonderful loving wife to pass through ...
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greenmac10 months, 3 weeks ago
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Well my parents grew up during the depression and they learned to be very frugal. I can still remember straightening old bent nails for my fathers projects. Now things are different today....most kids want...not give. Will they be able to grasp the situation that they and their family are in and how will they cope with it....good question.
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GLee10 months, 3 weeks ago
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Greenmac, you just hit the 'nail on the head'. My 'old man' had me straitening out nails as well. Hadn't thought about that in who knows when.......??? I hope our kids know enough about what's going on to be able to apply some 'frugalness' down the road. We won't always be here for them.
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It is, in fact, a good question. -
PsychoHosebeastComment removed: Spammer, Abusive
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RedRiverJ10 months, 3 weeks ago
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greenmac, you said it. Many kids, not all of them, but many are so self centered, so materialistic they do not question what any thing costs or who had to do what to buy it for them. Its all about cell phones, friends, ipods, boy/girlfriends, spacebook, instant this and that.
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I have a kid that sat down for Christmas dinner with a cell phone. Started texting his girl during dinner.
He no longer does that.
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stalemateComment removed: Retracted by user
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Charlson10 months, 3 weeks ago
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The generation of children growing up during these hard economic times will either become better than we were or they are doomed by our failures. Children had been learning to become takers without conscience and this process must be reversed if they are to survive and flourish.
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TheOptomistComment removed: Spammer1 Reply
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canadianrancher5710 months, 3 weeks ago
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I can remember how hard up we were while I was growing up and how money was sometimes a topic that I wished was not talked about. Everyone was aware how little money there was but it did not mean we could not have dreams about what life would be like with money. When I was sixteen life was better and I was given five hundred dollars for a years work and told that the money would have to last me for a year, within two months the money was gone and I was allowed to stay at home and miss all the fun that others were having. We can try and teach our kids about money but sometimes the lessons will be learned by them only by making a mistake. The toughest lesson is the one that is shared by both the parent and child and that is when we finally say that now you are on your own and I will not help you out for your wants and very few of your needs.
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4thchance10 months, 3 weeks ago
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Kids are learning that Mom and Dad better take on another job or get better paying jobs to support their lazy lame kids. Times are tough say the kids. Mom and Dad need to make more money for us. They live in the basement and want more and more from Ma and Pa. Meanwhile Ma and Pa are scrambling to figure out a way to buy their son Johnny that brand new Corvette that he has wanted since he was 35 years old. That's the reality of it these days!
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greenmac10 months, 3 weeks ago
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Not all kids are like that... though I have seen a few that fit the description you provided. A lot of times the parents are to blame for allowing the kids to sit home on their a$$. With the job situation as it exists right now I believe a lot of kids will take advantage of the situation and their parents.
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I see a lot of good kids out there...some of them going to school and holding more than one part time job to support themselves. -
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lvrofwolves10 months, 3 weeks ago
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sounds just like my Niece, 19 didn't graduate (the first in our whole family) she doesn't want to get a job because she thinks she's worth more them minimum wage, she doesn't help out at home because it's not her responsibility she says, she has no drivers license,she tries to bum $ from everyone, she refuses to move out etc.....now I think my Sis is almost entirely to blame for that kind of thinking because always in the end, the Niece gets exactly what she wants, if she has to cry about it for a few days, well...she'll do it. she actually thought her Mom should get a second job so she could have more spending $.
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My Sis booed me for charging room and board to my Son after he graduated, and started working a good job, AND he still had to help out around the house. Niece told my Son 'your Mom is lame' My Son said, and where are you??? a lazy bum, living off your Mom with no promising future. that made me feel proud!
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Albmore10 months, 3 weeks ago
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One thing I think is important is parents need to talk about finacial matters with thier kids. I also think personel finance should be a required subject in school. How many college students are already over thier head in credit card debt?
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Now as far as being lazy and spiled , well that has to be blamed on the parents. Sometimes love must be tough and that means saying NO setting bounries and enforcing rules. We want OUR kids to have a better life as OURS. Just like OUR paents wanted that for us. Somehow though a better life has been placed as a finacial goal and not a character goal. Just like OUR government we the families of the US need to go back to the basic. Morality, loyalty, truth.ect. -
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Radiofreeeuropa10 months, 3 weeks ago
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My relationship with those in my family who survived the great depression (sadly all gone now) was instrumental in the forming of my view of the world politically, economically, and particularly morally. I learned the lessons they taught well and can hope my own children have in some way absorbed them through generational osmosis and observation. I have never strayed from the path in my life, and at this rather late point doubt that I ever will. So nothing really changes in my house...except the degree of concern about ensuring bills are paid. My kids are hard workers, though yes, we made their lives easier than ours were in some areas, paying for their education (My Dad could not do that for me). But they generally have an appreciation for the value of things, take little for granted. I can't speak for others, only my own.
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4thchance10 months, 3 weeks ago
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I too had parents that went through the depression years. One thing I learned from my parents was, they did not ever throw anything away. I swear my mother would even keep the paper wrappers that cubes of butter came in. We may need those someday she would say. I'd ask her, what would you ever need those for, her response was. "You just never know"...This gave me a really good clue as to just how awful the depression years were for people. I did learn alot from my perants depression years experiences. Now I'm a very frugal person. I make good money, but it's hard for me to spend it, I save alot of it..."You just never know!"
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THANKS TO MY MON AND DAD :-)
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4thchance10 months, 3 weeks ago
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WOW, this is really odd...I've posted here a few times now and no one has attacked me yet for posting my thoughts and what I beleive. Gee, I should ask, did the world end or something... something is out of order here!?
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Nice stories/comments and nice folks, good to see :-)-
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canadianrancher5710 months, 3 weeks ago
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I was going to atttack you when you brought up the topic of pitching hay bales , but it was a job that I feel built character. I wonder what would happen if the court system sent some of these young troublemakers out to pitch bales, a few days of that might give them alot of respect for other peoples contribution to society .
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Eagle_Eye10 months, 3 weeks ago
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4th, I have to admit this is the first time I have given you positives and agreed with your comments. I was wondering it was you or what......but I realized this is not a political thread and comments are very nice......what a wonderful change from all the garbage!!!
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fsev4110 months, 3 weeks ago
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4ht, I too was feeling strange about not having anything to neg . Your talk about end of the world scared me and I didn't want anyone feeling that way so I negged you just to get things back a little closer to normal. Please feel free to neg me too and I promise I'll try to remember this thread in the future and remember that you really aren't a bad person after all. There are some things in life we can all agree on.
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NP, as I've said before, it's always nice to have a story once in a while that we all agree on. Thanks.
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hefaa1Comment removed: Hard Banned
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nostalgia10 months, 3 weeks ago
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Tough economic times are a real learning experience and something that will have an impact for a long time
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It's not just younger kids, I'm seeing a change in behavior among those in their 20's and 30's
They have never experienced a difficult economy before
No matter how much you try to teach them about money management, this personal experience will make more of an impression
I was surprised over the holidays when my kids and some of their friends were here
They have all cut back on spending and most were focused on getting out of debt
These were the same kids who were buying everything in sight when they were teens
Several mentioned listening to Dave Ramsey. They were explaining his concept of a "debt snowball" and using cash instead of credit cards
I was absolutely astounded! -
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lvrofwolves10 months, 3 weeks ago
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I've always believed in exposure to just about everything,with guidance of course. I've never felt hiding bad things from my child did him any favors, as long as I talked to him about the situation in an age appropriate way that he could understand. I think he's turned out to be very well rounded, he's not a real go getter as far as $, but he's worked 1st paper routes at 12, then jobs as soon as he turned 16, and it was because he wanted to. He always pays his bills, he's very happy with his material possessions he has because he himself worked and paid for them, and tho I struggled VERY hard as a single parent, he's always said how much he appreciates what we had. I guess I'm glad I wasn't one of those parents that was able to just hand their kids everything and anything they wanted, it really does them no favors,we want our kids to grow up happy healthy and capable of fending for themselves. No harm in helping out if there's a need, just keep in mind what is really needed.
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TheNewsseeker10 months, 3 weeks ago
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This article illustrates two important lessons to teach our children in these economically difficult times, which seem to be contradictive only at the first sight: On the one hand, they have to understand the basics of economy and know how to handle their money, on the other hand, they must internalize the message to discover under the ruines of our world´s financial system: Money is not all and everything, there are values which are much more valid, named faith (or: trust), love and hope!
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Albmore10 months, 3 weeks ago
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Articles like these show us we still do have common interest. We waist to much of our lives fighting over what we disagree on. If we begin to look at each other with the respect we have seen here. We can also find common ground on things we disagree with.
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I cannot believe OUR Founding Fathers agreed on everything. But they saw the urgency to find a common ground. By giving local government governing powers they also should it was ok to have those different opinions as long as we allow our common interest to hold us together.-
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lvrofwolves10 months, 3 weeks ago
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Absolutely Albmore, we have to remember we are all human beings first, then Americans (or whatever country one is from) then things get divided into sub categories (religion, politics etc..)
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It's all about priorities and kids must learn priorities as well, food, shelter are financial priorities.
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bolivious10 months, 3 weeks ago
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It's today's culture. Too many people think certain things are due them. Too many parents buy in to this. Instead of making a kid work for something, mom or dad pay the bill. It's as if parents - people in general - FORGOT that working for something is EXACTLY what makes the thing VALUABLE. The next time your kid wants something - even if it's something you think he SHOULD have, make him earn it and pay for it. You'll be amazed at the results - if you're not already too late. (Then apply this concept to your own life, your employer, the government, etc.)
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lvrofwolves10 months, 3 weeks ago
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this one thing does concern me tho, many people right now have never had experience with rough economic times, and if there's many parents right now not making it, how do they teach their children how to do it? I mean even people who have been smart as far as their financial situation goes are falling prey to these times, and losing it all. The people who were taught, work hard, save, don't over extend etc... and your life will be peachy, are falling into the abyss, damn that sounds dismal but the outlook for many doesn't look so good. I guess the kids who are the spoiled slackers will really be suffering.
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YouCouldSave10 months ago
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I believe kids can of today understand economics if you make it fun, I know last year my 12 year old wanted a Playstation3, he asked what I thought about trying to earn money to get one, we spent the day writing ideas that he could try, I made it fun and gave him £20, in three weeks he had his Playstation3, I had my £20 back, and he had enough to start a savings account with £100.
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If you are looking for ways to teach your kids how to be responsible or how to make money do it at a time when they will want to listen, bedtime is good as they don’t have to sleep! Also when the light goes out their minds carry on until they fall asleep.
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