• Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclosure

TeensGotCents

Why wait to live a centsible life?

  • Common Cents
  • Job Cents
  • Shopping Cents
  • College Cents
  • Mom Cents
  • Blog Cents

As Heard in Target…Teachable Money Moments

by Charlotte 3 Comments

Eva and I were in Target the other day and overheard a conversation between a cute little girl and her Mommy.  It went something like this:

Cutie:  Mommy!  MOMMMMMMYYYYYYY!

Distracted Mommy:  Yes sweetie?

Cutie:  (Pointing wildly at the toy shelf)  Can I have that?  Can I have it?

Distracted Mommy:  Hmmmm?

Cutie:  Mommmmmyyyyyyy!  Can I have that?  I want it!

Distracted Mommy:  Maybe for Christmas…

Eva:  CHRISTMAS?  Are you kidding me?  It’s APRIL and she’s FIVE.  She has no clue how far away Christmas is.  COME ON!!!

Me:  SHHHHHHH!!!  They are gonna hear you!

pTRU1-4538885dt

The $10 doll…

This made me remember all of the lame excuses I used to give Price and Eva when they were little and I was that ‘Distracted Mommy’.  It took me a few years to get past the normal things that parents say.  You know.  The ‘we can’t afford it, maybe next week, I just got you a new toy yesterday, maybe for your birthday or Christmas, or maybe if you make all A’s on your report card’ stuff that us parents say to our little ones.  Don’t even get me started on the whole ‘you can have it if you are good’ routine because it’s always a great idea to tie your children’s self worth to a $10 toy at the toy store…..(frowny face).

Now that my kids are 20 and 17 it’s easy to look back on what those moments could have held for my children.   And it’s always easy to second guess harried parents at Target and how they deal with their children.  At the same time, it’s worth taking a closer look at what that conversation could have been:

Cutie:  Mommmmyyyy!!

Perfect Mommy:  Yes Sweetie?

Cutie:  Do you see that baby doll?  I want it, will you get it for me?

Perfect Mommy:  Ooooo.  That is so cute!  Let’s take a closer look at it.

Cutie:  Can I have it?  Pleaseeeeeee?

Perfect Mommy:  Well.  It costs $10.00.  Let’s check your wallet and see how much spending money you have this week.

Cutie:  Okay!

Perfect Mommy:  Hmmmm.  You have $7.00.  That means you need $3 more dollars to be able to buy this doll.  You won’t be able to purchase it this week.

Cutie:  But I want to get it now!

Perfect Mommy:  Would you be interested in doing some extra chores around the house this week in order to earn the money?  With your allowance and extra work you might be able to save up enough to buy it by next week.  I will help you come up with a plan to do the extra work so that you can earn the money.  After you save up we can come back and get it then.

Cutie:  Okay!

See what I mean?  By paying attention, the whole conversation becomes a moment in which the ethics of hard work, delayed gratification, and the joy and satisfaction of earning something becomes the priority.  It isn’t just about the new toy.  It’s about the outlook that your child will have about money, themselves, and material possessions for the rest of their lives.  When we give our children lame excuses or just buy everything for them, we rob them of so much in life.

None of us are perfect and we will routinely miss teachable moments.   But we can try to be more purposeful in our interactions with our children regarding money.

How do you use every day conversations to help your children understand the value of money?

Share the Wealth!

You May Also Like These

Would you like to learn more ways on how to use bartering? It is a great way to work for things you might not otherwise be able to afford!Bartering Tips for ParentsBeginning again…Teaching your teen about money can be intimidating, especially if you don’t consider yourself to be financially smart yourself. I know that I feel this way all the time! That’s why I’ve made a list of where to start when passing down money lessons to your children. Whether it be deciding to give an allowance or discussing savings and budgeting, these are the money discussions you must have with your teenager today.Where to Start? Helping Ourselves and Our Teens

Join thousands of other teens on the path to a secure financial future!

Get my eBook Seven Days to Centsible Savings when you sign up for my FREE email newsletter!

< Previous Post Shopping with Sarah – Consignment Store Bias
Next Post > Debt Free College Student – Tim Caiello

Comments

  1. BanExcuses

    April 30, 2013 at 7:16 am

    That is an awesome example, and every parent should take note. My parents raised me with this sort of mindset and now I am very cautious with my money.

    1
    Reply to BanExcuses" aria-label=' Reply to BanExcuses'> Reply
    • Charlotte Baker

      May 2, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      Thank you! Parents really do make a difference…

      1.1
      Reply to Charlotte Baker" aria-label=' Reply to Charlotte Baker'> Reply
  2. Simply St. Augustine

    May 29, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Love it! Great reminder to this mamma…

    2
    Reply to Simply St. Augustine" aria-label=' Reply to Simply St. Augustine'> Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published - required fields are marked *

Hi guys, I’m Eva!

Welcome to TeensGotCents, my name is Eva Baker and I founded this site when I was sixteen. I'm a complete money nerd and I love helping teens learn how money works. Also, I watch too much Netflix. Although I still have a lot to learn about personal finance I hope you will use my successes and failures to help reach your own goals whether you want to go to college debt free, get a part time job, work on a fun DIY project that will save you money or just read about ways you can learn to manage your money well as a teen. So glad you're here! Read more about my story here.

Become a subscriber

Get my eBook Seven Days to Centsible Savings when you sign up for my FREE email newsletter!

Be sure to check out these popular posts

Are you looking for some teen bedroom makeover ideas? Look at the great (and affordable) things I found at IKEA!

Teen Bedroom MakeOver Ideas from IKEA

What is a gift closet and why should you have one? There are so many reasons to have one if you are a teen, especially if you like to get nice gifts for your friends but don't have a lot of money. Here are some gift closet ideas for you!

Gift Closet Ideas For Teens

Many teens don't have a high school resume but it's a useful tool to develop if you plan to try and get a part time job. Find out why you should have one and what to put on it!

Should You Bother With A High School Resume?

Dog-sitting is an awesome job for responsible teenagers who love to be around animals and can work independently. Plus, it’s perfect to work around your school or work schedule. I had my first dog-sitting experience (with a super cute Australian Labradoodle), and now I’m convinced this may be the most perfect first job for teens looking for a little extra cash. Don’t forget to check the pics to see the cute dog snaps I took!

Make Extra Money Dog Sitting!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclosure

Copyright © 2021 Teens Got Cents  |  All Rights Reserved  |  Site Design by Emily White Designs