At first, the budget was a disaster – they would spend all their money on toys and then not have what they really needed. Give a 7-year-old cash and see what he does with it. Hah! Legos and nerf guns!
Over time they begin to truly value things and what they cost. And it wasn’t long before one of them had the idea to try and make money with what she had to work with. She saved two months of her budget and bought things to start making something to sell. She more than doubled her money and continues to make money every month with her bracelet business. Maybe they are too young for this lesson, but I don’t think so. It’s helping them be more aware. And I am never in the store with a kid that’s nagging at me cause they want something. If they do ask, I simply answer, “It’s your money, it’s your choice.”
We don’t learn how to manage money because we never had an opportunity to learn restraint and responsibility, in a safe environment. We’re thrown out into the world and expected to figure it out.
My son walking around in rain boots for a month wasn’t an easy lesson, it sucked. But that lesson might very well save him from a life of much harder lessons.
Originally published HERE.
I am a chocolate lover, wanderer at heart, book reader, home apothecary/kitchen witch, tea addict, love-maker, wild water huntress, plant whisperer, sun gazer, herbalist, and barefoot mama to three wild babies. It’s nice to meet you! You can find me at www.barefootfive.com, and on FB/ Holy Flow Parenting and IG/ Barefoot Five.
