Phrases that should not be said to and in front of children

Instead of creating restrictions and stereotypes, we should help children develop the right financial skills and ideas: everyone can build their own financial independence and well-being. This is the subject of this Socialportal article.

Let's look at common misleading phrases that should NOT be said to children and in front of children.

PHRASE #1. "It is very expensive for us, we can not afford it, do not even dream".

The phrase is similar to the previous one, but it not only shapes the child's image of a poor family, but, what is worse, shapes the child's belief that it is impossible to change anything in the financial situation. You can explain to the child that you have temporary financial difficulties, that's why you can't buy certain goods right now. But in the future it is possible.

Suggest that your child save the money he or she has been given to buy the item he or she wants. Suggest that you think together about how you can save money to buy the desired item in the future. Talking about money with your child should not be exclusively negative emotional resource: money is a resource that gives opportunities. It is necessary to learn how to acquire and manage this resource.

PHRASE #2. "What you want to buy is rubbish. I'll never buy that."

By doing this, you are disrespecting your child's needs and feelings. Parents, as adults, decide what to buy or not to buy for their child. However, you should never devalue your child by calling their wishes "nonsense". Dreams, feelings of the child should be respected. With respect for the child's opinion, explain why you think you shouldn't buy something or you don't have the money for it now.

PHRASE #3. "Quality things are always expensive. A cool person should have everything expensive and branded" or "Vasily is cool, he has an expensive car and the newest iPhone".

Of course, we should instruct the child that earning a lot of money is a realistic and achievable goal for every person. However, it is not necessary to form in a child the identification of success in life and high level of achievements exclusively with material values.

It is worth explaining to the child that it is not always worth buying the most expensive. We should compare the price of goods with the value they bring us. And on the basis of this ratio to decide what to buy, what brand to choose, expensive or cheap product.

For example, if one does not have a high income, but buys an expensive car on credit, one can lead oneself into a difficult financial state, when all income will go to maintenance and fuel for this "beautiful expensive monster", instead of forming a financial cushion, investing in one's own development or one's own business, which could expand one's income.

PHRASE #4. "To earn more, you have to work from morning till night".

This phrase is not always true. There are situations when indeed a person should work harder to achieve their goal. However, a person's time resource is limited to 24 hours a day, and the classic working day is 8 hours. And different people, having the same 24 hours a day, earn different amounts of money.

Accordingly, it is important not only how much you work, but also what you do. The task of every person is to increase the efficiency of their labour - to get more income with less effort.

PHRASE #5. "We need to be frugal and buy only the most necessary things."

Such a phrase teaches a child to neglect his needs and desires, to limit himself. Such a child grows up to be an adult who does not know how to hear himself, lives not for himself but for others, postpones all the joys of life for "better times" and "for later". On the contrary, we should orientate the child, combine a reasonable thrifty approach to spending with the search for opportunities to increase income.

There should be a "golden mean" in the life of a happy person: we save money, form a "financial cushion", but do not forget to please ourselves periodically, buying something that brings joy and fills life with positive emotions. Teaching your child to save money, form a habit not just to save money, but to save for a specific purpose.

PHRASE #6. "Big money is earned only by bad people - bandits and oligarchs, or their children. It is impossible to earn good money the honest way."

Sometimes parents say a similar phrase: "We are poor, but honest." In fact, behind this position may be parents' unrealised dreams of prosperity and the negative Soviet programme that it is bad to earn a lot of money.

So we ourselves form the opinion in our children that it is possible to become rich only through negative patterns of behaviour - through cunning, deceit, stealing. In addition, as an adult, a child will subconsciously avoid opportunities that will give him a high income. It is better to discuss with your children examples of life situations, when your acquaintances or famous people came to wealth thanks to their intelligence, endeavours and abilities.

PHRASE #7. "Money is not important!" or "Money is the main thing in life, money solves everything!".

Don't demonise money or underestimate its capabilities. Money is an important resource that we need for a happy life. Money gives us freedom of choice, confidence in the future and a sense of security, allowing us to live a full, rich life.

PHRASE #8. "What kind of businessman are you, don't make me laugh...".

For parents, children are forever small. That is why we cannot objectively assess their abilities and talents. Every big businessman was once small, once took his first steps to his own business, experienced failures before finally achieving success in business.

Therefore, it is worth supporting our little entrepreneur or businesswoman in their desire to start their own business. We parents should believe in our children and support their initiatives and endeavours.