Building Strong Money Habits for Life Money management is one of the most valuable life skills we can pass to the next generation. For parents, teaching financial literacy is not just about explaining dollars and cents—it’s about shaping habits, attitudes, and values that will influence them for decades to come. This is more than a conversation about bank accounts—it’s an ongoing relationship where lessons are learned in the moments you share, the examples you set, and the guidance you give. ________________________________________ Why Fathers’ Involvement Matters The father-son dynamic has a unique influence. Boys often absorb their attitudes toward money from watching their fathers—how they work, spend, save, and even stress about finances. By being intentional, fathers can ensure those lessons are positive and empowering. • Role Modeling: Children mirror what they see. A father who budgets, saves, and spends responsibly silently teaches those skills. • Life Context: Fathers can...
I wanted to take my autistic granddaughter to the butterfly botanical garden near us, but I was afraid she would want to touch everything and ruin the visit. Luckily, they have a list of rules at the entrance, and we went over them together. After reading through them a few times and getting her verbal commitment to follow them, I told her that we needed to come up with a "grandpa thing" (a consequence) that would have to happen if either one of us didn't obey the rules. We went back and forth with ideas until we settled (mainly me) on the (Actual picture of my granddaughter) decision that our adventure at the gardens would end. Knowing her very well, in the past, she would agree to the rules at first, but her autism didn't always allow her to maintain the agreement. The one rule I was most concerned with was that everyone must remain on the walkway and not venture into animal and plant life. Along the way, I watched her struggle with wanting to touch plants and butt...