Many of us are experiencing fears about our struggling economy.
This is causing a lot of people to re-evaluate the way they spend money.
These "cut backs" may not be very popular with the other members of our household, however.
A big reason for this is due to a sense of entitlement that our children have.
For a long time now, the focus has been on each generation doing better than the previous.
We're in a situation where that just may not be possible.
So how do we move our children from this sense of entitlement to one of gratitude and thanksgiving? First and foremost we need to teach them the difference between privileges and rights.
Our children have a right to a roof over their head, clothes on their bodies, food in their bellies and to be safe.
Beyond that, everything else is a privilege.
Now I know a lot of you may be think, "Hold on now, that's a little extreme!" It truly isn't though.
Materially, we've gotten so far away from the bare necessities that we don't even remember what they are.
Am I saying you shouldn't do more than the bare necessities for your kids? Of course not, but they should realize you don't HAVE to.
These "extras" should be looked on as just that - extras.
Those extras need to be appreciated with the bare minimum of a "Thank you" to show their gratitude.
Secondly, try to expose them to people or situations where less is the norm.
There's nothing like volunteering at a homeless shelter to help kids put things into perspective real quick.
Even learning about other cultures can get this point across.
Children in America just assume having 2-3 TVs, a cell phone and a car at 16 is the norm for everyone.
What about countries that don't even have electricity in most of its areas? I'm not saying they need to go on a mission trip here, but give them opportunities to be exposed to other cultures.
Finally, give them the opportunity to practice budgeting.
It's difficult for kids to really grasp gratitude until they understand how money works.
A lot of little kids don't even understand that bank machines don't just "give" you money.
If your teens "have to have" this season's latest clothes, give them an allotted amount of money and explain to them that is all they get.
But then hold them accountable to it.
If they choose to spend $150 on 1 shirt and pair of jeans rather than 2 shirts, 2 pants and a pair of shoes so be it.
That's all they get.
As parents, you play an integral role in how your kids view the world.
All of us want the best for our kids.
No one disagrees with this.
But we also need to temper the materialism with time, love and attention.
Those things aren't privileges, but absolute necessities.
This is causing a lot of people to re-evaluate the way they spend money.
These "cut backs" may not be very popular with the other members of our household, however.
A big reason for this is due to a sense of entitlement that our children have.
For a long time now, the focus has been on each generation doing better than the previous.
We're in a situation where that just may not be possible.
So how do we move our children from this sense of entitlement to one of gratitude and thanksgiving? First and foremost we need to teach them the difference between privileges and rights.
Our children have a right to a roof over their head, clothes on their bodies, food in their bellies and to be safe.
Beyond that, everything else is a privilege.
Now I know a lot of you may be think, "Hold on now, that's a little extreme!" It truly isn't though.
Materially, we've gotten so far away from the bare necessities that we don't even remember what they are.
Am I saying you shouldn't do more than the bare necessities for your kids? Of course not, but they should realize you don't HAVE to.
These "extras" should be looked on as just that - extras.
Those extras need to be appreciated with the bare minimum of a "Thank you" to show their gratitude.
Secondly, try to expose them to people or situations where less is the norm.
There's nothing like volunteering at a homeless shelter to help kids put things into perspective real quick.
Even learning about other cultures can get this point across.
Children in America just assume having 2-3 TVs, a cell phone and a car at 16 is the norm for everyone.
What about countries that don't even have electricity in most of its areas? I'm not saying they need to go on a mission trip here, but give them opportunities to be exposed to other cultures.
Finally, give them the opportunity to practice budgeting.
It's difficult for kids to really grasp gratitude until they understand how money works.
A lot of little kids don't even understand that bank machines don't just "give" you money.
If your teens "have to have" this season's latest clothes, give them an allotted amount of money and explain to them that is all they get.
But then hold them accountable to it.
If they choose to spend $150 on 1 shirt and pair of jeans rather than 2 shirts, 2 pants and a pair of shoes so be it.
That's all they get.
As parents, you play an integral role in how your kids view the world.
All of us want the best for our kids.
No one disagrees with this.
But we also need to temper the materialism with time, love and attention.
Those things aren't privileges, but absolute necessities.
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