Everyday Lessons: Money Management

I have been saying for a while now that we have to seize every opportunity to teach our kids the lessons that will help them to not only survive life but succeed in life. I refer to them as “Everyday Lessons”.

We have been dealing with some issues with the boys, namely Gavin and Elliott. They have been saving their money for a while and I thought it would be interesting to take them to the Dollar Tree and let them each spend $3.00 however they see fit. I explained that they have a $3.00 budget and because the Dollar Tree has everything for only a $1.00 I was able to explain to them that they can pick out 3 things each.

Gavin actually did the best and choose his 3 purchases very carefully. Elliott did well to although he was the last to finalize his purchases. He was very indecisive, so it took a while longer. While there were a few hangups and it didn’t go as smoothly as I would have liked, they did get the basic concept down of only having $3.00 to spend and each choice cost them $1.00.

Emmett had no idea and Elliott is still a bit young to fully grasp what I was trying to show them. Gavin in the other hand understoodbthe concept and probably benefitted the most from thisblittle shopping excursion. As special needs parents we need to help our kids prepare for the world and sometimes the best way to do that is with “hands on” experience. Include your kids in some of the things you do around the house or yard. Give then developmentally appropriate jobs to do and encourage them along the way.