My kids are amazing!
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11834)
January 7, 2013 3:26am CST
Yesterday I wrote about the tough time we're having financially at the moment. We've been out of cash for while and although I haven't had a conversation about it with the kids specifically they must have heard me talking with my partner about it and there are a few things which are missing from the kitchen shelves like yogurt and fruit for their school snacks.
Yesterday I was just putting the goats to bed when my eldest came out to tell me they wanted to tell me something really important and could I come inside please. Then they lined up and gave me a small pile of cash which they'd chipped together from their piggy banks. They told me it was so that I could buy bread (I've been making pancakes, but ran out of flour yesterday morning).
Aren't they just the most amazing kids in the world? I am so proud of them for offering their hard won savings to help out the family purse.
I gave them their money back, with the promise that I would *borrow* it if we really need it.
5 people like this
30 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jan 13
That's nice.
I did have a sit down with my kids before Christmas and told them this year would be a bit tougher than most. My oldest, he got a $30 paycheck for doing some scorekeeping for the school, and he said he was going to give us the money towards the phone bill. Yet when he got the money he gave us $20, and spent the other $10 on junk food, then the next day he asked for the $20 back.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Jan 13
Yeah, maybe when he's my age and has kids of his own and wonder why they don't understand the concept behind being broke.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
7 Jan 13
It is a shame you are having a hard time financially at this current time. Your kids are amazing for trying to give you the money contained in their piggy banks. This would have been enough for you to buy some bread. I am happy you gave their money back. Hopefully your financial situation will improve and you won't end up borrowing money from your children.
Good luck with improving your finances and well done to your kind children. 
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
7 Jan 13
Yes, they are amazing but the really amazing person is you! You have taught your children compassion and generosity, two traits sadly lacking in so many today, both children and adults. You can now say that you are a success as a parent.
2 people like this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
7 Jan 13
GreenMoo, that's just beautiful. Just shows that family is everything, and that's what you're doing it all for. I've always loved reading about your farming adventures, and I wish you blessings for the new year and plenty of love and laughter with your special family. x
2 people like this
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
7 Jan 13
That's just sweet. Now you have money to buy bread for your pancakes. When I was a kid, I also did something like that. I saved all my spares and wrapped them in some scratch papers and gave them to my mom in a Teacher-parents meeting when I was in grade school. I don't know how to wrap stuff until now so it was very embarrassing since I had to give it to her in front of a lot of teachers and classmates, it was a small presentation for the parents.
When I was a kid, I also did something like that. I saved all my spares and wrapped them in some scratch papers and gave them to my mom in a Teacher-parents meeting when I was in grade school. I don't know how to wrap stuff until now so it was very embarrassing since I had to give it to her in front of a lot of teachers and classmates, it was a small presentation for the parents.2 people like this
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
7 Jan 13
I won't use their money unless it becomes necessary. I think it's a better lesson for them to learn that we can't have everything we want all of the time and consider an alternative. There's other things to eat (although flour is pretty staple!).
I'm sure the fact that you couldn't wrap properly at the time just gave more poignancy to the moment. Bet there was a tear in your Mom's eye!
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
7 Jan 13
That's so neat. Kids "get it" a lot more than we give them credit for, I think. It's important to be a solid family unit against whatever the world dishes up, maybe more so for kids than anyone.
Borrowing their money when/if you need to allows them to experience the security of that so don't refuse it if you really do need it. You can pay it back later. Just my opinion.
Kids "get it" a lot more than we give them credit for, I think. It's important to be a solid family unit against whatever the world dishes up, maybe more so for kids than anyone.
Borrowing their money when/if you need to allows them to experience the security of that so don't refuse it if you really do need it. You can pay it back later. Just my opinion. @GreenMoo (11834)
•
8 Jan 13
I think you're right. Kids do understand what's going on and want to help if they're given the opportunity.
My eldest was complaining that he has no credit on his phone this morning and I said that we had no money to top it up. He reminded me that we had the kid's money to us, which gave us a good opportunity to discuss what sort of things are and aren't important when it comes to spending limited resources. I reminded him that he has free wi-fi at school, so in an emergency he could use one of the online telephony services to contact me. Needless to say, he's gone off to school with no credit on his phone!
@BarBaraPrz (47308)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
7 Jan 13
They're obviously being raised right.
Good on them and good on you.
1 person likes this
@Archie0 (5652)
•
7 Jan 13
Your kids are real angels well i remember i as i kid too have done something which had made my mother proud. It takes great understanding from the kids to do such kind of act. Your kids understand how much hard work you and your husband put in to run the house, and by all this they have learnt to contribute and adjust. I pray you have a happy life.
2 people like this
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
7 Jan 13
I hadn't realised that the kids had picked up on it. I don't exclude them from conversations about finances as I think they learn by inclusion, but I'd not mentioned it specifically. I'm so very proud of them and I hope they develop the same generosity to people outside the family.
3 people like this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Jan 13
If I'd had kids I'd want them to be just like yours. How adorable to think of you like that.
I bet they were secretly pleased they could keep the money though.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
8 Jan 13
I am moved by what your children have done.They are so sensible.It certainly warmed your heart to see the small pile of cash at the moment.Perhaps they didn't know the cash was an utterly inadequate amount,but they might well be praised because they wanted to do their part for their family."The child is father of the man."They will be promising people.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
10 Jan 13
you are right.Hard life builds up character.This is why I said they are promising kids.On the contrary,most delicate upbringing and spoilt kids tend to be selfish and very free with their money in the future.
@iva75cpb (729)
• Bulgaria
7 Jan 13
Not only amazing, I don't have the words to describe how proud you should feel. I think you have raised great and responsible children. There were times when we were so short of money that I even didn't wanto to live... Then I promised my self that my child should never in any way find out we are so financially troubled, but it was unavoidable. They grow up so fast and they can't be that easily lied to. So we try our best to not let her feel the need. Good for you, congratulations!
@iva75cpb (729)
• Bulgaria
7 Jan 13
Indeed, that's true. I was just trying to hide the situation as long as I could because a small child not always understand what "I don't have any money to buy you this right now" means. Ever since she was born I've been trying not to deprive her from essential stuff and stuff that can make her feel she is a kid and has a childhood. But in the past few years even these small things turn out to be unachievable sometimes. There is no point lying to the children, they are smart enought to know the truth when they see it.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
7 Jan 13
Yes your kids are absolutely amazing! That is such a wonderful thing that they did. I would have cried if my daughter did something like that. It really does show that they know what is truly important and that they are willing to make sacrifices for it. Glad though that you were able to let them keep it.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
13 Jan 13
Yeah that would have been a very emotional thing for me as well. It really does show that your children are being raised with high values and priorities. It shows in their action that your efforts as a parent is paying off. Keep up the good work and they will continue to make you proud. I'm so happy for you. I hope that things are going good for you.
@devonavis (1854)
• Greece
7 Jan 13
Your kids are so sweet.
Good job to you you have trained them well. Kids should be like your children, understanding and helpful in every family situation.
Good job to you you have trained them well. Kids should be like your children, understanding and helpful in every family situation. 1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
10 Jan 13
You should be proud not only of your children for their thoughtfulness and selflessness but also of yourself for bringing them up soooo well! What wonderful children, it's a shame that a lot more parents couldn't follow by your fine example. You hear of children being greedy and wanting everything, all the latest gadgetry, fashionable clothes etc, want, want, want, and here you have your children the total opposite. Wonderful to hear my friend, thanks for sharing.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
10 Jan 13
Well I won't fib and say that they don't want, want, want too! But I think they've got a pretty good grasp of what's reasonable and what isn't now. I'm pretty open with them about finances (they'll have to do it themselves one day after all!) and they know that the payoff of having the lifestyle that we enjoy is that we can't afford everything we'd like.
@BigMoney25 (1286)
• Philippines
8 Jan 13
Hey there GreenMoo! You have such wonderful kids you are very lucky you have them, they love you and are very concerned about how you feel. Use this as a motivation to strive harder to earn more money for your family I mean this is an effective tool to make you work harder. You remember them and all the hardwork you gave will never be put into waste. Perhaps you are a very kind person that's why you have kind kids. Best of luck to your family. I got nothing but love for people like you and your kids. To be honest that was so amazing, kind hearted young angels you have in there. You made my day positive! Happy mylotting:)
@randomarts09 (1405)
• Indonesia
29 Jan 13
Your kids really kind and considerate with your family financial problems. Usually kids kind of selfish if it's related with their money especially from their own money. You are lucky to have such the children who like angels. They really know how to contribute and I hope they'll always be considerate also with people outside the family too.
@joycseer (845)
• Malaysia
8 Jan 13
Hi GreenMoo, wow...wonderful angels, lovely kids. Such mature independent thinking and heart of love for the family. Such a blessing that you have wonderful children who knows how to think for the family needs and help out in time. Although their funds may not be sufficient, but the heart they have is much more than that. You have my salute!
Such mature independent thinking and heart of love for the family. Such a blessing that you have wonderful children who knows how to think for the family needs and help out in time. Although their funds may not be sufficient, but the heart they have is much more than that. You have my salute! 