Posted by
Billy email MADBillyD@aol.com on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:50:29 PM
It's a tough economy out there, even for a kid. And many parents are wondering how to broach the subject. Should they shield their children from the hard times and spend like there's no tomorrow? Or is it better to share the reality that more families , often their own , simply can't have it all, even at Christmas? It can be a real dilemma. ( Sometimes, it's OK to tell your kids you're broke )
"I've explained the situation, and I've also avoided it," says Mimi Chacin, a mom and business owner in Miami whose husband lost his job in advertising. The family is doing OK. And in fact, the children's cooking classes Chacin teaches have remained full so far , a sign, she says, that many parents are still willing to spend on some extras for their kids.
"I find myself not wanting to put them under that stress, but also sitting down and explaining that things aren't easy for anybody right now," Chacin says of her sons, ages 9 and 4.
(My heart goes out to these parents. At the same- time I think this year could be the best to teach our kids to focus on things like family time, faith, and giving to those who have very little. God gave to us His son Jesus. So we should give to others, shouldn't we? Giving also doesn't have to be money it can be your time.)
