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Encourage kids to slow down their spending. For example, if your son gets a gift card or earns cash, try to get him to hold on to it for a while. Help him develop ways to save and to be more intentional about what he spends his money on.

When you feel overwhelmed by the role you play as a parent, remember that you’re not alone in raising your children—they need other caring adults and relatives, too.

Encourage kids to save money by placing some of their funds in a safe place, such as a savings account, a piggy bank, or a wallet that is meant only for savings.

At your next family meal, go around the table, each sharing one challenge and one accomplishment from the week.

Encourage your kids to save for things like a new bike or a concert ticket—and in the long term, for expenses like college tuition or a car. Having a savings goal makes the budgeting process more real and tangible.

Teach your kids that everybody has personal values, even though others’ may be different from their own.

By: Vicki Bohling

My name is Vicki and I’m a mean mom. Not all the time, mind you, but I apparently have it “in me”.

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Introduce your kids to adults who have solid financial skills. Ask the adults for tips they’ve learned for managing their money well—and some of the traps to avoid.

Encourage your children to take one small step toward changing something they’d like to do differently.

Using cash when shopping with young kids helps make the concept of money more concrete. Talk about how money is used and even let them count out the bills and the change for the clerk.

Ask your children what they think is special and unique about themselves. And then tell them what you think.

Children will always challenge limits. Talk about why you set rules on movies, games, and curfews. To help with compliance, share your expectations with the parents of their friends.

Kids of all ages need to experience their own authority and influence. When “choosing your battles,” keep in mind that being a little flexible here and there is a good thing.

Children actually listen to their parents. Start conversations about sex early so they are not seen as a “big deal.” Libraries and bookstores are great places to get accurate information.

Write down five things you liked about how your parents raised you, and five things you’d like to do differently. Keep both lists in a special place.

The next time you feel like you’re struggling a bit with your parenting, remember that everyone has ups and downs and worries about the future, but it’s what’s in your heart—what you believe about yourself and your family—that matters most to your kids.

When you make a mistake or mess something up, talk to your kids about it. Let them know that everybody makes mistakes sometimes, and what’s important is how you deal with the consequences.

By: Steve Palmer

The popular television show Modern Family stars several families who are connected to one another through various relationships. Have you seen it? It’s a very funny and entertaining show, but another important reason to watch it is because it portrays a pretty accurate view of how our society has changed to accommodate the various “new” definitions of “family”. There is a so-called traditional family (mom, dad, two kids), a same-sex couple raising their daughter, and a blended family (dad, mom and her biological son). Read more >>

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Be intentional about focusing more on the things you do with your children and less on the things you have.

Let your children see you cry when you are sad. It will help them know that their own emotions are normal and healthy.