Teaching Difficult Topics

 Takeaway 3- Teaching difficult topics (money, media and screentime, intimacy)

              There are several difficult topics that we as parents must teach our children. If we neglect to teach our children about these topics, they will still learn, but they will likely learn from others who will teach them incorrectly.

              Teach them about Money.

              There are several practical tips for teaching young children about money. For example, using a clear jar to save, so they can see the money growing in front of their eyes. The importance of setting the example you’d like your children to follow cannot be overstated. Children will learn what they are shown. Children must also be given the opportunity to experience using money, real cash and coins, to pay for things. This allows them to feel the pinch of money leaving them to gain something- a reality adults face daily. It is also critical to teach them the value of giving, paying tithing, and caring for those in need with money.



              Teach them about Media.

              While screens are a daily fact of life in modern times, too much can cause major problems. Monitor as best as you can what your children are viewing and how much time they spend on screens. Children are never too young for screen time guidelines. Set clear and firm expectations for all the adults in your child’s life, as well as with your child. Encourage your children to develop healthy screen habits and limit screentime activities. Enjoy some screen-free time as a family for outings and meals.



              Teach them about Sex.

              This may be a difficult and embarrassing topic for parents, but it is a critical on-going conversation to have with children of all ages. Having open and honest conversations can create an atmosphere of security for children to ask questions as they have them. It’s important to teach children the correct names for their body parts and to be age appropriately honest in your answers to their questions. It’s also important to talk about puberty and how bodies change well before the time comes for your children, so they aren’t unpleasantly surprised when things start to happen.    



 

Resources

Ramsey Solutions. (2022, November 28). 15 ways to teach kids about money. Ramsey Solutions. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://www.ramseysolutions.com/relationships/how-to-teach-kids-about-money

Aacap. (2020, February). Screen Time and Children. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx

Sex education and talking with children about sex: 0-8 years. Raising Children Network. (2022, November 4). Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/development/sexual-development/sex-education-children 

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