Mi Choza De Nipa: 09/13/2009

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Children and Finances

Image by k.Akagami via Flickr

By Dr James Dobson

There’s an old song that says “The best things in life are free”. That may be true, but a lot of kids today are growing up taking this sentiment too literally and they never learn the value and the importance of work.

My friend, Ron Blue, is a financial consultant and the author of several books about money management. He says parents should show their children the connection between work and rewards. In other words, we need to make it clear that money must be earned. Children must learn that income is the result of investing time, energy and talent in worthwhile activities. It’s okay to give your children gifts and surprises of course, but make sure they understand that most things in life aren’t free. The hard part about teaching this lesson is that parents must endure the discomfort of saying “no” to the many demands of persistent children. And some mums and dads just can’t resist that daily pressure, resulting in a situation one psychologist called “denial of denial”.

In other words, every child needs to be told “no” on occasion; otherwise why should they sweat for it when they can get it for free? That’s why, within reason, I recommend that parents require children to earn their own money to buy the things they want. They’ll learn that it takes commitment and persistence to survive financially, which should serve them well as they move into the adult years

From TODAY, Voices – Tuesday, 18-Aug-2009

Don’t Label Your Kids

Image by shannonpatrick17 via Flickr

By Dr James Dobson

Most of us remember childhood classmates who were saddled with nicknames like “loser” or “big ears” or “piggy”. These playful titles may take on a major significance in the life of a sensitive child.

Children often become their nicknames and perceive themselves to be as others see them.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon doesn’t occur only in the classroom or school yard; it happens at home too.

Parents who label their child a slow learner may, in fact, be reinforcing learning difficulties. Or worse, an impatient parent may blurt: “You’re stupid! You’re clumsy!”

In the mind of the child, these labels become truths which cannot be repressed or ignored.

Let me leave you with this thought which applies to us all: We are not who we think we are; we are not even who others think we are; we are who we think others think we are.

From TODAY, Voices – Monday, 17-Aug-2009