After her dance class tonight, Adelade and I had differing opinions about where we should eat. I wanted to go to a fast food place for 89 cent tacos. She wanted to go to a burger joint where a big cookie is included with her meal. We discussed it, and I told her that it would be better to go to the taco place because it’s less expensive. She made some comment, sort of under her breath, about how of COURSE all that matters is what’s cheaper.
My kids are used to hearing me say We don’t have money for that. And, that’s not a bad thing. The fact is that all parents have to say no at some level of indulging our kids, or we would all be broke. I don’t put money worries into my kids’ heads or try to convince them that we’re poor, because we aren’t. The fact is that there are plenty of things that we have money for. But, our kids need to know that we don’t always have money for that. For that toy that they’re dying to have. For $4 burgers instead of 89 cent tacos. Because they need to see that God provides and God also expects us to be good stewards of what He gives. So they can learn that they don’t need every little thing they want. To know that as a family we sacrifice for each other and we keep the cost of things in perspective.
I think when we show our children that the price of things actually does matter to the running of our household, we are teaching them to value expensive things when they get them, and we are also showing them that we don’t need the biggest and the best of every little thing in order to be happy and have fun.
As we sat and giggled over our 89 cent tacos tonight, Adelade heard a little about the cost of dance classes and recital outfits. She nodded with understanding. I hope she can see how privileged she really is.
I love hearing from you!