Not allowed to spend ...

**paintedsky** · 07-13-2008, 08:59 PM

Great parenting to teach them the value of money early on so they won't end up spoiled!!

**DonnainME** · 07-13-2008, 09:12 PM

This is a very good idea. Sometimes we do need others (even if it's a child) to remind us of needs vs wants.

My 12 yo (the oldest and one that lives with me full time) understands that we do not have extra money for most things. she gets alot of things she wants but sometimes we just can't. She has also learned most of the time NOT to even ask.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-13-2008, 11:08 PM

We're starting to notice this with the youngest DS. Oldest DS will never understand because that's just something he can't comprehend. He'll have a fit about something and then it takes some harsh calming to get him to realize that he was in the wrong.

I call DH today to ask him to come pick me up and he tells me that youngest DS wants to talk to me. I say sure and he hands him the phone. The first thing I hear out of DS mouth is, "Can you PLEASE get some Wendy?!". I tell him no and he asks me again. The second time, I just tell him that I'll think about it, hang up and wait for DH to come get me. The van pulls up, he opens the hatch to load groceries and the first words out of youngest DS' mouth is about Wendy's. I ask him if he was good, he says yes, then he goes on a five-minute cryfest when we pass Wendy's. DH tells him, "You can't always cry for the things you want." and as we get to the house, youngest DS says, "I'm so glad we're home. I'm so sorry I was crying for Wendy's.".

My kids realize that it's starting to be a treat for them to have things like fast food and that eating at home saves us money. I'm teaching youngest DS about being frugal and it's cute. I figure the younger I teach him, the better off he'll be when it comes time for him to get in school and be around kids who have more money than we do.

Good for you, ironmaiden! Too many kids out there today grow up and they end up realizing they're making mistakes that they should have listened to their parents about when they were young enough.

**ironmaiden** · 07-22-2008, 08:49 PM

An update:

DS-8 was going to a Cub Scout overnight with dad at the Pawtucket Red Sox - lucking out and getting to see the Red Sox's Big Papi during his rehab stint (the kids get to go to a baseball clinic, watch batting practice, see the game and after the game, the families set up tents on the field and also watch a movie). I told him a week ahead that since we weren't going to buy him anything, he might want to earn some money ahead of time. Gee mom, there is nothing important there that I want.

DH and son come home from the game. I hear that son owes Dad $5. Ummm... apparently mom and dad didn't have a talk beforehand. So I told son that not only does he owe dad $5, but he owes dad INTEREST!! And that the interest will be even more if he doesn't pay dad within a week.

I want him to learn to plan ahead, save for a rainy day, and not go into debt for dumb stuff.

So we'll see if after an hour of weeding, if he thinks it was worth it.