28 Jul
What Does All This Look Like to Our Kids?
In Dr. Meg Meeker’s books she talks about how profound our influence is on our children. It seems obvious, of course, but I am often surprised by what the kids pick up on and retain. Things we aren’t intentionally teaching, but that they observe and absorb so completely it amazes me.
I am reminded to hold myself accountable whether they act selfishly, rude or compassionately and kind.
The best part has to be the crazy things they say in public, “Daddy, ‘p’, like… poop!”
Or the utterly surprising, “Where do people come from?”
“Well, when a mommy and daddy love each other…”
“No, no. I mean, where did the FIRST people come from?”
This weekend I got a special treat from the four year-old. They had a friend over for the day to splash in the kiddie pool and watch a Christmas movie when the hundred degree heat became too much.
During the post-movie impromptu dinner of roasted potatoes, peas and hotdogs the kids started talking about grocery shopping.
“I like going grocery shopping with my Grandma”, says the visiting friend. “She buys my anything I want!”
“Well,” our four year-old interrupted the list of things grandma buys, “excuse me. We’re on a budget right now until we can get debt-free.”
I stared down at my plate and stabbed another potato while breaking into a huge grin. God, I love that child!
I know there is no adult comprehension of what we are going through, but in their own way these kids are learning from our journey. We make things fun with what we have, The Wife takes them to events at the library two or three times a week, they are learning that money isn’t everything.
At least I hope so. Who knows… those little brains pick up everything and not always in the way I expect them to.
You know, like ‘p’… for poop.
the Dad
Posted by Kelsalynn on 07/29/09 at 4:46 pm
Of all the people who read your blog, I’m probably the least qualified to comment on kids! lol BUT, I will tell you what I know from my own experiences… My mom filed bankruptcy when I was in high school… I have two sisters and we’re all terrible with money. One of them has filed bankruptcy, the other is scary close, and a year ago, I had $60K in debt. She never told us no and we never learned.
I don’t know of any parenting strategy that offers garauntees, but I’d put money on your newfound approach any day.
Posted by Tutu on 07/30/09 at 6:40 pm
One of my best memories from almost 35 years ago, was when I was a single mother on welfare with my preschool son…McDonald’s was opening up in our area and we were both ecstatic! He could play on their playground and I could sit and have a cup of coffee – all for under $ 3.00! Because of our financial situation, he KNEW there wa sno point throwing himself in the aisle and screaming for me to buy him something; it simply wasn’t going to happen. By the time he was fourteen, he was paying his own way for everything, including his tuition! I almost feel guilty about that one! Kids learn what they live and what they see their parents doing. You go, guys!
Posted by Jeremy on 01/01/10 at 9:12 pm
Those 4 year olds are like sponges. About 2 months after I lost the battle to transform the play cash register’s credit card into a debit card, it is now miraculously a debit card. Just yesterday I grabbed an envelope to put my daughter’s money in for our trip to Walmart for her to pick up something she wanted (but didn’t have her money at the time) she said, “I need to write something on it” She then said, “Daddy how do you spell Spend?” Talk about a proud parent! She then stated she needed two more envelopes for Saving and Giving. I asked her where she learned this and she grabbed one of the Financial Peace Jr. books she got for Christmas and showed me the page. That’s when she earned the pre-printed envelopes that we didn’t think she was ready for quite yet.
Sorry to ramble. Yes, what we as parents do does make a difference in the lives of our children!