As a parent, sharing your feelings about money can impact how your children view money. Just like how you would refrain from using curse words in front of your children, it’s important how you speak to your children about money. One of the ways you can do so is by creating money mantras.
We curated some money mantras from various mums and here are our top five:
1. Choose your words carefully
If you speak to your children negatively about money, it will instil negativity in them about money which could damage their mental wellbeing. Therefore, choose different ways to say that you are struggling financially instead of saying it directly. Below is an example
Scenario: Unfortunately, my friend’s husband lost his job during the pandemic and they really struggled financially. How did they tell their children that they were struggling financially?
Instead of saying: “Dad has lost his job and now we have no money for food and might lose the house.”
Say:
“We are going through a difficult financial time. We may have to cut back on some things. However, dad and I will figure and everything will be alright.”
2. Don’t argue about money in front of your children
Children listen to what you are saying and how you talk about money can impact how they talk to others about money and any financial issues that they are having.
If you need to talk to your partner about money in front of your children, do it calmly and respectfully. Sometimes it’s better to talk when they aren’t around or when they have gone to bed.
3. “Let’s put it on the list”
If there is something that there your child has been asking you to get and you can’t afford it at the time, or you don’t think it’s value for money, don’t say “No, you can’t have it! I can’t afford it!”
Instead, you can say:
“That sounds like a good idea. At the moment it may be difficult to get that but let’s put it on the list and we can look into it at a later date.”
It sounds positive and your child will feel they are being listened to. Sometimes they might forget that they wanted it and it will save you £££s.
4. “Let’s do something fun and free”
Get your children involved in day-to-day money tasks. For example, when making a shopping list, show them how you do a price comparison with different supermarkets to get the best deal.
If you are on a budget, and you would like to do something with the children, you can help them feel in control of the decision by saying, “Why don’t you help dad and I come up with some fun and free activities that we can do together this weekend.”
5. Teach them money vigilance: “I want to work hard and save for the future.”
Teach your children to have a healthier relationship with money by being positive about money. You don’t want to create anxiety in children so show them the importance of creating a budget and saving for the future. You can also set up a Junior Savings Account at M for Money Credit Union so that they can start saving from a young age.