In today’s society we’ve been letting our kids slide on earning the money they get. Many parents give their kids whatever they want, plus an allowance. Preparing our children for adulthood is our job as parents. Here’s an e-mail I received from Jim Fay, co-founder of the Love and Logic Institute in Colorado. You can go to their website to sign up for these “delicious tid-bits” of parenting advice too.
How many kids do you know who have every new electronic gadget that comes out on the market? How many of these kids wear the latest designer fashions? How many of these kids understand how many hours their parents had to work to provide these trappings? How many of these kids believe they are entitled to the “good life” as a result of who they are? And how many of them believe the “good life” should come to those who earn it?
Entitlement is the right to demand. Great parents do not encourage this belief in their children. They expect their kids to do their fair share of the household chores and they put their kids on a matching funds program.
When Cindy’s kids ask for high-priced sneakers she answers, “I’d love to see you wearing those $200.00 sneakers. My budget for shoes is $35.00. I’ll contribute that much. As soon as you have the rest, you’ll be wearing them.”
Sometimes she contributes more, sometimes less, depending upon her budget and depending upon how important the purchase is to her. Her kids are learning that the good life comes to those who earn it.
Thanks for reading!
Jim Fay
For more information on parenting with Love and Logic you can find two of their books in my Books Recommended section or go to their website at www.LoveAndLogic.com.
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