Character Building from KidsDiscuss.com

5 Parenting Tips: Money, Chores, and Sloppy Work

When you hand over money for your child's allowance, is it for chores well done? Or are you too generous? Find out inside.

If you're like most parents, you're busy. You give your child chores. He does them. You give him his allowance. It's so simple.

Once in awhile you check his work. If this is what you see, you might hold on to your money. Better yet raise your standards.

• Toys are stuffed under his bed.
• Dirty clothes are hiding in the back of his closet.
• His rumpled bed is full of hills and valleys.
• Dirty dishes are buried in his top dresser drawer.
• The pets are hungry.
• The garbage smells.
• The dishwasher's stuffed with dirty dishes.
• There's grease on the counter tops.
• The "clean" pots feel sticky.
• The dirt's been swept under the table.

5 Parenting Tips to Ask Yourself:

With his present work habits, what will his future by like?

• What kind of grades will he earn in school?
• How many friends will drop him?
• How many jobs will he lose?
• How many fights will hurt his future marriage?
• How sloppy will his children be?

This is not a pretty picture. You can change it. Slow down. Raise your standards. Check his work.

Parenting Tips Conclusion for Money, Chores, and Sloppy Work:

Train your child to do to his chores. Expect a job well done. Hold on to your money when it's sloppy. Give him his allowance when it's well done. If you do, you'll be giving him more than money. You'll be awarding him with a sense of competence, a brighter future, and you'll be building character too.

Your Personal Invitation:

How do you get your child to do his chores well? Please leave a suggestion, question, or comment at Jean Tracy's Email or click on Comments below.

Subscribe to Jean Tracy's Free Parenting Newsletter at www.KidsDiscuss.com and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

Pick up Jean's Chore Chart Kit for raising responsible children. A list of age-appropriate chores is included. You'll be glad you did.

Parenting Tips for Money, Character, and Problems

Money isn't the root of all evil. But it can cause problems. When children get a taste for easy money, don't be surprised if they become selfish.

Inside you'll find 3 parenting tips for helping your child to change from being self-centered to becoming bighearted.

Let's say your Emma spends your money like it grows on trees. If you go shopping, she begs to go with you. Not because she enjoys your company but because she wants you to spend your money on her.

When children are young, this is an easy trap for parents. You go to a book store and little Emma wants a book. It doesn't cost much so you buy it.

You go to a department store and little Emma wants a t-shirt. It's cheap, so you get it.

When Emma gets older she doesn't think about how you earned the money. She just wants more and more of it. She believes she's entitled to it. Her wants become more expensive. You start saying "No." She grumbles something about you being selfish. You feel guilty, hurt, and mad.

3 Parenting Tips Dealing with Money, Problems and Character:

1. Realize that you've made a mistake and that Emma has money problems. She believes you should spend your money on her. She doesn't know the value of a dollar. She thinks the sky is the limit.
2. Sit down and have a talk with Emma. Discuss how money isn't everything. That you're afraid she values things more than people. Ask her what she thinks.

   If she denies what you say, tell her how pleased you are. Then tell her from now on she'll get to earn her own money.

3. Don't be surprised if Emma tries to get you to go back on your word. Don't do it.

   Praise her for earning her money. Encourage her to save for the big things she wants and to share some money for treats with her friends. Ask her how she feels when she's generous and bighearted.

Parenting Tips Conclusion for Money, Problems, and Character:

It's not easy undoing bad habits. When children believe they deserve what they want, it takes time, effort, and consistent retraining. They won't like it. At times you'll feel guilty.

Realize that you made a mistake. Retraining your child is the price you pay. Don't give up. Remember that selfish people are unhappy people. When your Emma earns what she wants, she'll feel proud of herself and you'll be building character too.

Your Personal Invitation:

How do you get your child to earn money and save? Please leave a suggestion, question, or comment at Jean Tracy's Email or click on Comments below.

Subscribe to Jean Tracy's Free Parenting Newsletter at www.KidsDiscuss.com and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

Pick up Jean's Chore Chart Kit for raising responsible children. A list of age-appropriate chores is included. You'll be glad you did.

 

7 Parenting Tips for Money, Character, and Piggy Banks

Did you know it costs over $160,000 to raise your child? Since you get what you pay for, find out how piggy banks save you money, give you a good return on your investment, and build character too.

You can't get something for nothing. Don't let your child get something for nothing either. Teach your child to fill his piggy bank by earning his own money. How? By chores, good grades, and working for your friends, relatives, and neighbors. If you do, you'll be teaching him the value of hard earned money.

7 Parenting Tips for Building Character with Money and Piggy Banks:

1. Don't accept IOU's. You don't want to become his credit lender.
2. Avoid giving him money just because he asked for it.
3. Brainstorm with him what he'd like to save his money for.
4. Brainstorm with him ways he could earn the money.
5. If you're able, match the money he saves. If he saves a dollar, you match it with another dollar. If he doesn't save it, don't match it.
6. Brag out loud (within his earshot) to friends and relatives about how well he saves.
7. Encourage him to buy little thoughtful presents for others at Christmas and for others' birthdays.

Conclusion for Money, Character, and Piggy Banks:

Raising a generous child who knows how to save for special things is an excellent return on your investment. When he earns his own money he won't be begging for yours. You'll be teaching him to save for rainy days when others are broke. His character will grow and you'll have taught him how to survive and thrive.

Your Personal Invitation:

How do you get your child to earn money and save? Please leave a suggestion, question, or comment at Jean Tracy's Email or click on Comments below.

Subscribe to Jean Tracy's Free Parenting Newsletter at www.KidsDiscuss.com and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

Pick up Jean's Chore Chart Kit for raising responsible children. A list of age-appropriate chores is included. You'll be glad you did.