| Invest in your kids with quality time like a Love Savings | | | | account, teach them experientially about investing, debt, |
| Account, when things get rough between you you'll | | | | interest and life's expenses. If they see how much |
| both draw on it to stay connected. Quality time might | | | | your mortgage and groceries cost, they'll understand |
| be: reading together, dicussing dilemmas that arise on | | | | why $300.00 shoes are not realistic. |
| TV shows you watch together, playing games, | | | | 7. Set boundaries about time alone and personal |
| coaching their sports teams, cooking together, camping, | | | | space. "When the door is closed or I am on the phone, |
| or sharing a hobbie. | | | | don't interrupt me unless you are on fire." (Well, you get |
| 2. Use phrases like "Wow! How did you do that!", | | | | the idea!) |
| "Awesome job!", " I am so proud when you handle | | | | 8. The best gift to your kid is good self-care and a |
| yourself like that!", and "I know you can handle this, I | | | | loving relationship with your partner. Model that |
| have faith in you, let me know if you need my support". | | | | parenting does not equal martyrdom. Spending time |
| 3. Tell them how you feel, "I feel __, when you __, | | | | alone with your partner gives kids a healthy model of |
| and what I would like is ___." This models responsibility | | | | love and a sense of security. |
| for your feelings, and makes a specific request without | | | | 9. Teamwork and communication are valuable life skills! |
| blaming. Phrases like "You always/never..." put people | | | | Put kids in environments where they learn to work as |
| on the defensive and block communication. | | | | a team, and can safely express their thoughts and |
| 4. Make the punishment fit the crime. For example, if | | | | feelings. Team sports and organizations such as the |
| they fail to do a chore regularly, let them know they will | | | | Scouts are great team builders. |
| have to do an extra one each time they "forget", or | | | | 10. Have your kids contribute at home and in your |
| must do their chores prior to watching TV or playing | | | | community. I suggest you let kids pick chores when |
| with friends. | | | | possible, would he or she rather clean the kitchen or |
| 5. Give kids choices. "Would you like broccoli or green | | | | fold laundry? Compliance is higher when kids have |
| beans with dinner?" This avoids power struggles, | | | | some choice in how they help out. Chores foster pride |
| leaves them feeling respected. Does it really matter | | | | and ownership in your home and volunteering |
| how they get their green veggies? | | | | produces pride in service to the world. |
| 6. Empower kids about money. Set up a savings | | | | |