My recent MSN column, “One way money is a lot like sex,” has to do with the questions our kids sometimes ask–and how much discomfort we can feel about answering.
I argue that we need to get comfortable talking about money with our children, because these are incredibly important teaching moments.
Psychotherapist Thayer Willis, who’s quoted in the column, recommended a terrific book for kids that can help these talks: “The Table Were Rich People Sit.” Here’s what Thayer has to say:
“While I would not deny the importance of money when answering the ‘are we rich?’ question, I do recommend taking every opportunity to broaden the subject and get kids thinking about additional kinds of wealth in their lives. This book is a lovely tool for that with younger children (ages 6-9).”
If your family does have substantial material wealth, I’d recommend checking out Thayer’s books, including “Beyond Gold: True Wealth for Inheritors” and “Navigating the Dark Side of Wealth: A Life Guide for Inheritors.” She’s an inheritor herself and has helped many people come to terms with can be a many-edged sword.
At my house, the question was “Mommy, are we poor?”