Author considers are kids better off without their parents? He believes parents need help.
(PRWEB) October 7, 2005 -- Children’s financial author, Sam X Renick recently had the privilege of hearing philanthropist, David Bussau, speak. David is the co-founder of Opportunity International, which is known for its “micro lending” programs to the poor and impoverished around the globe.
Above all, Sam indicated he was surprised to hear Bussau share that he felt blessed to have been abandoned by his parents as a child. According to Renick, “The self-made millionaire went on to explain to the audience that instead of handicapping him emotionally, becoming an orphan provided him freedom to discover life on his own, as it really is.”
Renick advised, “He had never thought of his own parents as a liability, at least not a major one,” which got him to wondering, “How many children today might share Bussau’s feelings. How many children might not consider their parents an asset?”
Renick shared, “My stomach turned as I quickly realized Bussau is probably not alone. Recent articles like the Time Magazine story, “Do Kids Have Too Much Power?” and Krista Ramsey’s “Are Our Children Overindulged?” imply the problem is widespread. They make it easy to believe kids in10 to 20 years will be telling their parents “F___ you! You suck!”
Renick’s suspicions were confirmed in a discussion with psychotherapist and family counselor, Dr. Charles Unger who advised him many children are already communicating worse.
The author said, “Sadly, it is not hard to believe, in spite of good intentions, parent caretaking and thinking in many cases probably is a liability to children. This seems especially true when it comes to money.”
Renick further shared, “Some parents in their haste to give kids everything they want or did not have themselves growing up, are not giving them what they need and apparently really want most: “discipline!” At least that is what his discussion with Dr. Unger revealed. According to Renick, the discipline Dr. Unger refers to here is structure, consistency and a set of rules that provide kids clearly defined boundaries.
Renick, went on to share, “Bussau, a parent himself, said his personal journey changed when he started asking himself a few questions, like how much money and material things are enough?” “Maybe he is on to something,” Renick added. “Perhaps questions are the answers.”
Renick suggested, parents may want to consider the following questions to help them refocus their time and energy:
(1) What do I really value?
(2) Does my allocation of time and resources (financial and otherwise) reflect those values?
(3) What behavior, values and skills do I really want to encourage in my child? (What is my goal?)
(4) What price is my child paying for me not consistently demonstrating and instilling those values?
(5) Is it reasonable to expect children to value or appreciate something they have not earned?
“This is probably the most difficult time in history to be a parent,” said Renick. “Parents need help, which is why we created our books and music. They are simple and easy to use. And best of all, kids love them.” He went on to add, “If we really want children to have bright futures and truly thank us when they are grown, perhaps we should be examining these issues. Needless to say, children need parents, particularly ones who are committed to parenting. These are the types of parents who are not only assets to their children, but to society as well.”
Renick is the author of two financial books for children: It’s a Habit, Sammy Rabbit! and Will Sammy Ride the World’s First Space Coaster?; he also produced the music CD titled Get in the Habit!; and is the founder of The It’s a Habit! Company, Inc., (www.itsahabit.com), a socially conscious corporation dedicated to providing parents and educators with wholesome, entertaining and educational tools that help them encourage children to develop good habits, especially saving money.
He and the company’s main character, Sammy “the Get in the Habit Rabbit” are touring the country encouraging children to “Show Their Families the Way!” by practicing good habits like saving money. They will appear next in Manchester, New Hampshire, on October 17th, to celebrate New Hampshire’s Partner in Education Blue Ribbon Awards. That visit will be followed by a visit to Washington D.C. on October 26th, to make a presentation to the American Savings Education Council titled “Communicating Financial Education, An Alternate Approach.”
Articles written by Sam X Renick:
Get Kids in the Habit of Saving Early, Not Late! --- Everyday Wealth
http://ceoclub.everydaywealth.com/newsletter/sub/article-2004-09-01.htm
Help Your Kids Become Millionaires! --- Everyday Wealth
http://www.ceoclub.everydaywealth.com/newsletter/sub/index-2005-01.htm
Five Saving Strategies…Pay Yourself First! --- Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/11044582.htm
Why Save Money? Six Year Old Knows --- E media wire
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/inktomi254651.php
How to Set Kids Up For Success! ©
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/9/inktomi286715.php
Resources:
American Saving Education Council
http://www.choosetosave.org/asec/
Janet Bodnar – Raising Money Smart Kids
http://www.dearborn.com/trade/productDetail.aspx?product_id=3739&ppn=56837101
The David Bussau Story – Don’t Look Back
http://www.opportunity.org.au/article/articleview/280/1/42/
Humberto Cruz – The Savings Game
http://www.latimes.com/business/investing/sfla-business-cruz,1,109739.columnist?coll=la-utilities-business-money
New Hampshire Partners in Education
http://www.nhpie.org/sammy.html
Newsweek
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5909207/site/newsweek/
Opportunity International
http://www.opportunity.org.au/article/articleview/280/1/42/
Krista Ramsey – Are our children overindulged?
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050925/EDIT03/509250307/-1/CINCI
Steve Rosen – Syndicated Columnist – Kids and Money
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/columnists/steve_rosen/
Time Magazine – Do Kids Have Too Much Power?
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101010806/cover.html
Dr. Charles Unger
www.charlieunger.com
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