Ever wonder what kids pick up on?
Wayne Cohen - The Indestructible Dad
Husband, Father of 4, Author, Owner at Blinds By Design CW & RCG Security Doors, President at Bathurst Harness Racing
Here’s a piece from my book – Silence is not an option
Last year we did a little exercise with our eldest son Noah. I said to him, "Dude, where in Australia do you want to go? We want to tour Australia. I want you to pick a place and we’ll go there." He said, "I want to go to Cairns and also see the Great Barrier Reef." I said, "That's cool, let’s lock it in!” The next thing he said broke my heart, he said "Yeah, but it's going to cost a lot. We might not have the money." I was like, "Hang on a second, hang on a sec. What makes you say that?" He said "I've just heard you and mom talk about money." Damn! I shouldn’t be surprised that he's picked up that we've always fought tooth and nail like many other families for pay slips, invoices and commission checks to pay the monthly bills.
In his 10 year old mind, he's got, not a negative view of money, but he's got an awareness of money, he’s probably about four years ahead of his time.
From overhearing us talk about money struggles and budgeting, we've burdened him with his own money worries. A kid shouldn’t have to think like that in my opinion. A stupid thing that my grandma used to say to me was money doesn't grow on trees. We’re all taught from infancy that money is hard to come by and hard to hold on to and so it is for us – shit, another cycle that many families deal with!
This is kind of the hard exterior of growing up being a bloke and we’re seeing it reflected in the eyes and language of our children.
Now we've worked really hard ever since that to change his view of money. I said to him "Hey, look, there’s always a way. We’ll budget and plan so we can do the things that we want to do. Not In a bad way, dude. This is all good. The reason we're asking you is because we want you to see all Australia has to offer. We need to plan it so we know what we need."
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Here’s the question for you – What do you say about money, cash or life that your kids may be picking up on without you realizing?
The answers are a bit scary aren’t they?
P.S - I'm looking for some guests to join me on the Dadchat podcast, if you're interested flick me an DM and we'll go from there!
Business Advisory | Board Chair | Strategic Planning | Strategic Partnering | Independent Director BCom MCom FIPA FFA GAICD
4 年It takes a lot of introspection and deprogramming of the adults, because we were taught that way, to be that self aware and then an extraordinary amount of intentionality in the way we message and communicate things to our children.
Director at Roundbox Media & Events
4 年What an insight Wayne Cohen - The Indestructible Dad. I do not have children, but have often thought about perpetuating behaviours in society itself. If we all look at a situation differently, would we create a different world? When the restrictions lift, have a great time on the Barrier Reef with your family!