One of the Wisest Investments You'll Ever Make
By Lyle Evans
If you think this is about stocks, bonds, real estate, gold,
jewels, etc., you're wrong! All of these can be good
investments, but your children are the wisest investment
you'll ever make. Teaching your children to be well-rounded
individuals will help them out in the long run to fit into
and contribute to society. As they contribute in society
this in turn helps out everyone, including you as a parent.
Giving your children the right skills and knowledge can be
one of the most rewarding and wisest choices you'll every
make. Think about it: Who is the one that should have the
most influence on your children? It is a parent. Parents can
work with their children at a young age helping them develop
skills that will last a lifetime. These skills cannot be
learned overnight. As parents you must let your children see
you applying the skills you are trying to teach them.
There are a number of areas in which parents can help their
children develop. Some of these areas would include: a good
work ethic, ability to work and interact with others in many
settings, good ethics and respect for the laws of the land,
good understanding of financial matters and learning at a
young age to work toward financial independence.
A good work ethic is a skill that is developed over time. As
an employer or business owner, you appreciate the efforts
that are extended in your work or business. As an employee
you should feel satisfaction in working hard and
accomplishing whatever task you may be working on and in
being honest with your employer. Employees that work hard
will get noticed by their employer and treated accordingly.
Teach your children at a young age to work hard and do their
chores. Young children should be given chores or small jobs
to do. By doing this at a young age your children will learn
responsibility and learn not to quit when the going gets
rough. Having a good work ethic will help determine what
kind of earning power your children will have as adults. If
your children can be taught these skills while they are
young they are more likely to be financially secure in years
to come.
Children that have been taught the skills of getting along
with others in different social settings will have an
advantage when they become adults. The advantage will come
into play when they interact with other people in business,
social, and financial settings. For example: In the business
world you run into all kinds of people and you need to know
how to act in order to be successful. These skills can be
taught to young children by letting them interact with
children similar in age and, as the children get older, be
involved in activities with other children.
By doing this the children learn good social skills and
witness different attitudes and types of people. The more
your children have chances to interact with other children
during their growing up years, the better their social
skills are and the better they are at dealing with other
people. During this time that your children interact with
others you will want to visit with them to see if they have
issues concerning the way other children act or behave. When
you talk with your children you will help them understand
the correct way to handle different situations that come up.
Helping your children to develop good ethics for country and
laws of the land is very important. Good examples from
parents are one of the main keys in helping your children
develop these skills. If your children see you obeying the
laws of the land, including paying your taxes, they will see
that this important. Talk to your children about the laws of
the land. Tell them that you may not always agree with all
the laws, but nonetheless they are the laws and must be
followed. Let them know that as citizens there is a process
that can be followed to change the laws when we don't agree
with them.
Discuss with your children why we pay taxes and what tax
dollars are used for. As your children understand that tax
money is what supports the government and a lot of the
programs we have in society, they will begin to understand
the importance of paying taxes. It would also be good to
discuss with your children areas in government where the
money is not spent wisely. Let them know that the government
is not fiscally responsible all the time. There are areas
for improvement. Discuss with your children ways you or they
can get involved in government of local issues. Volunteering
time for community activities will help your children gain
the spirit of community service. As your children serve in
the community they are more likely to become better citizens
and obey the laws of the land.
Financial independence is a goal we all should be working
for. It is very important that you teach your children ways
to become financially independent. They are most likely to
learn these skills from you as the parents. While your
children are young make them aware of what you are doing in
your investments and long term financial planning. When your
children get older let them get involved in your financial
planning and help them to do some of their own investing. If
you can start setting aside some money for your children
shortly after they are born, they will then have some money
to start investing when they get old enough to learn and
take part.
You as the parents have the greatest opportunity to
influence your children to become well-rounded individuals.
If you are willing to invest in your children's future, they
can develop a good work ethic, build good social skills,
become outstanding citizens in their local communities and
become financially independent. The investment is definitely
worth it, because one day your children may be the leaders
of the future.
