How to Talk to Your Kids About the Recession: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Never say never is the saying of the little mouse in the old cartoon movie of An American Tale. In the movie the mice get together as immigrants on a ship bound for America singing, "There are no cats in America and the streets are lined with cheese." Okay, I may be off a word or two; however, you get the idea. Imagine their horror when they find out the truth! Of course, our children sense something is different when even McDonald's is no longer in the family budget. The author did an excellent job of conveying truth. We need our families to come out of this recession stronger and more united. Children can learn to be thrifty; I know for I raised 4 children to successful happy adulthood and we went through some very hard times. Knowing how to swallow your unnecessary pride to shop at thrift stores, hard family team work to put on a yard sale and coming up with creative ideas when you have to do without is a part of what built America. Our children NEED to spend less time playing and more time learning or they will find themselves in the same position as the children of the Roman Empire when it fell. "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Quote by Poet George Santayana

You NEVER should be discussing your finances to your children!!!!!! The last thing your child needs is to be worried about things they have no control over or even understand. Kids need to be out riding their bikes, not sitting down in a little pow wow with mom and dad discussing the recession. Ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with the writer. Kids should gently be informed that people are loosing jobs and no one is imune, however; if unnecessary expences are cut then the whole family can make it out of the woods. kids will under stand and will also trust the parents more, of couse they should not be scared.
williams.

Because of my mom being like that, during this recession i try to stay in the mind set that we don't have enough money but I still want to be ignorant and lead a life like when I was 6, almost a decade ago. Bleh. They kept me in the dark during 9-11, I was like 'Planes go crashy! Pretty Colors!" Instead of grim, as I'd rather have been. So parents, don't keep your kids in the dark. We turn out to be more intelligent than you.

If your children are old enough to read, then they should be made aware of what is happening. Especially if they ask. This is coming from a child who her and her little brother discovered a forclosure notice. We were 8 and 9 years old, but we could read, and understand enough to realise that the bank was saying they were taking our home, and freak out. Things ended up being okay, but we learned quick not to ask to toys or extra things. It's obvious to your children when you are going through tough financial times. Things are different than they were before and they can tell. Please don't insult your childrens' intelligence. This does not mean however to use talking to them as an oulet for your financial worries. Use your discretion.... you are the adult after all.

Why keep them in the dark? Your job as a parent is to help them learn to be good adults. You don't do that by misleading them and keeping them ignorant. Use it as an opportunity to teach.

Yes, keep them in the dark. Thats always the best way! BTW-- I dont think the author mentioned anything about sitting down and discussing finances.

Keep them in the dark? How old are we talking about? My daughter is eight years old and is old enough to understand the concept of cutting back and having to relocate to another school district because I can no longer afford the high rent, celebrating her birthday with three friends instead of twenty-three and playing board games and eating fresh fruit smoothies made at home. She rides her bike, jumps rope, rides her scooter, plays with her friends and once a week we participate in volunteer activities at the library and our local food pantry. This weekend we'll spend a few days camping with relatives instead of going to Disneyland. I'll bet we'll have just as much fun.

I agree with the writer, to discuss openly of our financial situation, only we have to be wise to talk to the children and make them understand that all family member participate in cutting expense by reducing our high expense because of lifestyle not because expense on what we really need.

Ashley:- keep them in the dark so they can make the same mistakes that led to this recession... buting what eseentially couldnt be afforded and living outside of a families means? Teaching children to be frugal makes there lives easier its not about the nitty gritty its about honesty preparation and leading by example. A child listening to the sound of parental silence or even worse a stream of 'happy' lies as the repo man marches up the driveway will never believe you again and will still resent the sudden loss of security.

EVERYTHING THAT I READ IS A KIND THAT TOUCH MY FEELING SPECIALLY ON MY KIDS,EVERYTHING INSIDE IS TRUE, AND IT HELP ME REALIZED WHAT I HAVE TO CHANGE, THANK YOU1

My children is too young to understand anyway. But I still wouldn't discuss my finances with them even if they did understand. I wouldn't want them to be all depressed and worried.

MsLou707@ http://EarningFreeMoney.com