Smart Money Smart Kids - Raising Money-Smart KidsSample

Day 04: Bent, Not Broken

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV)

Parents, here's a shocker for you: Kids are different!

If you have more than one kid, you've probably already seen this. God has wired each of them with unique personalities that fit His unique plan for their lives. And you get the cool privilege of watching them grow and develop over time.

As you watch them start to handle money, you'll see differences there as well. Some will be natural spenders who can't get out of the store without buying a pack of gum or some sort of toy. (That was me growing up!) Others will be natural savers who need a little extra push to actually spend the money in their "spend" envelope.

Now, notice that I said kids are different, not right or wrong. It's tempting to think that savers are on the ball, while spenders need intense therapy. But that's not true at all. Like I said, I'm a natural spender, and I turned into a pretty responsible adult.

So if the key isn't changing your kids, what is it?

The Bible says that parents should train children in the way they should go. The idea is that parents raise kids according to their bent. It's seeing how God made them and working within those personalities to raise money-smart kids.

Let's face it...both sides have their pros and cons. Spenders can be generous, but impulsive. Savers can be responsible, yet stingy. Neither style is better or worse than the other, just different. That's why it's so important for you to figure out which money personality your kids have and nurture good habits based on that.

I'm so thankful that my parents guided this spender toward better money choices based on my bent, not some one-size-fits-all "saver" box.

You can raise money-smart kids outside the box as well.