Teach Your Children to Save Money

In many families money is a taboo topic, but teaching children about money is an important part of parenting. Children who learn to save at an early age have a great advantage over others who have never been taught how to manage their money. Families can learn the process of saving together and enjoy the benefits of becoming money-savvy.

Teaching the concept

The American Bankers Association Education Foundation (ABA) taught over 1 million children how to save and manage their money in 2009. The concept was such a success the ABA expanded their education efforts in 2010. They would like to see every child have the opportunity to learn how to save for their future. Experts agree that you can start teaching your children about money as soon as they understand the concept that money can buy things.

You could begin by requiring your children to save 10 per cent of any money they receive. Start by matching every dollar they save and when they are older you can decrease the amount to 25% or 50%. Introduce your children to earning an allowance early. A weekly allowance may be appropriate for early grade school children but as they get older you can move “paydays” to every other week or once a month. Have them set goals to save as much as they intend to spend and still have money in their account. Allow your children to make their spending choices. That is how they will learn to budget their money and determine if the purchase was worth the money spent.

No more bailouts

Children will make mistakes as they learn how to manage their money. If they spend all their money and don’t have enough to go out with their friends then they should miss their outing. Loaning them the $20 may make them feel better but they will have learned that you will always be there for the bailout. That is a lesson that you will regret when they’re an adult and ask you to pay off their credit card bill. Teach them that you are not their personal banker and to save for their own future.

Healthy Eating Helps ADHD

If you are a parent of an ADHD child you have probably read that the American diet of foods high in fat, salt, and processed sugar does little to help your child. In fact our “Western-style” diet gives children a higher risk of ADHD than children on a healthier diet that is rich in fish, vegetables, fruit and whole grains all of which contain a lot of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

Healthy diet

Researchers from Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago compared the recent studies of diet for ADHD children. They found that children with this diagnosis perform best on a diet that avoids dyes, preservatives and other additives.

There is no doubt that we are what we eat. The poor nutrition from the “Western-diet” has also affected young children with an increase in obesity. These foods that are full of preservatives have a parallel effect with a child’s neurodevelopment.

Natural treatment versus medication

There are 13 essential Recommended Daily Allowances of vitamins and minerals that children need for optimum health. Growing bodies need carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals to develop correctly. Most American children don’t meet the proper nutrition requirements. A national survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 1 in 4 teens were eating fruit less than once a day and 1 in 3 were eating vegetables less than once daily. Teens should be eating 4 to 5 cups of fruit and vegetables a day. A cup is a medium apple or a large tomato.

If your child is a picky eater a multivitamin can provide missing nutrients and minerals. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for healthy brain development. Fish oil capsules and flax seed supplements can be used as a replacement for fresh fish or salmon. Vitamin D is naturally absorbed during outdoor activities. During the winter milk, soy and orange juice can help fortify this gap. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 200 IU of Vitamin D and 500 mg of calcium for children 1 to 3 years old. These amounts increase as they grow.

Most parents will want to try a natural treatment for their child that is diagnosed with ADHD. This should also be combined with behavioral therapy which involves positive reinforcements to help children control their impulsivity. Medications are still the single most effective treatment available for ADHD which affects 5 to 8% school-aged children. These symptoms can persist into adulthood with inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Parents should pursue options that are best for their child with the understanding of the limited research to them to determine benefits and outcome.

Persevere With Your Resolutions

A New Year’s resolution is a ritual of hope that can provide us with the opportunity to evaluate progress with our life goals or personal growth. Unfortunately, many of us will try to begin a resolution on January 1st when we are still eating unhealthy and are transitioning back into our regular routine. Eighty percent of people who try and begin their resolution on January 1st will fail to follow through with it by January 31st. If the resolution is focused on health and fitness goals, 90% will have quit by January 15th.

Perseverance

Change involves sacrifice, motivation and willpower. Don’t focus on your past failures in 2012. That can overwhelm your thoughts with the negativity of debt accrued, pounds that were gained or relationships that failed. Begin by reviewing the positive aspects of your life. Think about things that you are proud of, what you are grateful for and how you have helped others in your life.

Start your resolution with small significant changes and build on each small success you experience. Set a goal to have a new experience every month this year. It can be as simple as going to a new restaurant each month, reading a book, taking a class or volunteering for a charity. Success with a simple goal will help to build confidence with a more challenging one. Reward yourself for each success. It doesn’t matter how long it takes for you to reach your goal as long as you continue to make progress.

Face your fears in 2013. You will become whatever your choices are, so be fearless this year. Each day you will get closer to obtaining your goal and when you begin to waiver on your resolution use your support system to help you persevere. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” Eleanor Roosevelt