Daddy, Are We Rich?

Editor's note: An essay about not telling your children too much about money

By Jerry, Age 12

I think kids at an early age shouldn’t learn about money because it can put pressure on them in a way that can affect them physically and mentally. For instance, if they learn that they are poor then they may save their lunch money and not eat lunch.

If you tell them why you don’t or do have a summer house, mansion etc., they may feel bad or jealous of others. This could lead to other questions such as “Why aren’t we rich?”. One way we could reduce is to cut the down the chances of your child asking the question. Never give them the chance to ask the question. Be careful what you say and do not give hints about money.

If your family is rich and your child asked if you are rich and you told him the truth, he may boast about it and make others feel bad. If your family is poor and your child asked if you are rich, and you told him the truth, he might start saving up.

On the other hand, if you told your children about money at an early age it might save you a little money with them trying to save their allowances but it would have little effect on your family’s future. Or if they were rich they might hurt other’s feelings if they kept boasting about it.

Therefore you should not tell your children if you are rich or not. It would affect their lives a lot more if you told them. Don’t want your child thinking he is helping by not eating his breakfast, lunch or dinner? Don’t want your child thinking she is helping by skipping lessons to do choirs? Be smart. Don’t tell them.