Are we really helping our children?

Do you always say ‘yes’ to their requests?

I bring this up because at present I am working with ten young men in a small discussion group about life and looking at new ways to live life. And because we’ve just completed the 5^th season of the year I thought I’d tackle what I consider a major tragedy for our youth in the long-term.

For your information the 5^th season that we all experience in some form is ‘buying season’. It is the time of the year when we are bombarded with ads about how much these purchases will change our lives or the lives of those we love.

I believe that the primary responsibility as a parent is to prepare your child for how the world really works. In other words – you don’t always get what you want. So, you need to help your child experience this. If your relationship with your child is based on material goods, your child will never have the chance to experience unconditional love. You are not the only influence in your child’s life, so be the best influence you can dream of.

As you would know, children are born without social knowledge or skills, and they eagerly look for someone to follow. That someone is usually one or both of the parents. Children are more touched more by what their parents do than by what they say. They learn how to behave by seeing how their mothers and fathers behave and by following their example.

As a parent I know that I am not perfect. We say things we are sorry for, we lose our tempers, and show that we are human by not being as kind as we should be. Admitting our mistakes is one of the best acknowledgments we can do in front of our children. When we say we’re sorry, and show them that we want to make things right it is such a positive role model that will help them their entire lives.

If you have been having a relationship with your child is based on material goods, this is perfect time to admit your mistake and get your child to understand why you believe it was a mistake.

Now that we are in 2019, I would like to ask you some questions to help you go a little deeper. The depth I am typing about is how much are you preparing your child for the real world;

• Can you be a little more resilient or tougher on controlling your spending practices?
• What is one way you can show your child unconditional love?
• Is your child ready to earn their own money? If so, how can you teach that child the value in budgeting?
• What is one way you can introduce to your child the value of money?