by Das Govind

Created on: June 16, 2009   Last Updated: June 18, 2009

Children often live in a carefree world, away from the financial and money stress of adults. They rely on their parents to support them financially, and often just have to wait for school tests to be over, just in time for the school vacations to begin. This is sad news for children who come from very poor families and have to go out and work for a living. Their childhood are so unkindly snatched away from them and they have to bear so much pain, due to the fact, that they have to work so hard for a little money, when they should be out there on the playgrounds enjoying themselves.

There is the other extreme of parents earning good money and able to provide a lot for their children, who would generally take this for granted. There may come a time, especially with the recession and world economic crisis, when children have to grow up fast and realize that the parents are experiencing financial problems and that tricycle or computer game that he/she wanted, has to wait. The children may also have to be told the harsh reality of the situation and they may just have to be grateful for the clothes on their backs, roof over their heads and also receiving an education.

Many parents find it too painful to confront their beloved children and explain that they shall be deprived of their former luxuries, be it a trip to the amusement park every month or being treated to a McDonald's every Friday. This will be difficult for them to accept, but parents have to be truthful to their children and explain to them, that maybe mummy or daddy has lost their job and now there is only one income in the family, so things are going to be tight from now.

Parents also need to remind children about how lucky they are to have a roof over their heads and also the basic necessities. Parents should also show children documentaries or pictures of other children who are less fortunate than them, to make them understand how lucky they are to have a roof over their heads. Parents can also take children on a field trip to a orphanage to do some charity work, in hope that they will start to understand the importance of the basic necessities in life and focus less on trying to get the latest Nike trainers, and more on helping the parents to save.

Children can also be encouraged to find a part-time job on weekends and start saving their own money. This should not be too difficult and many chidren can learn the value of money and a honest days work.

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