Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018


Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018
Dear Family Coach

Dear Family Coach: My children often receive holiday cards with money inside in the mail from their grandparents. They usually spend the money on stupid stuff they don’t need. One time my son gave a $50 bill to the American Heart Association, which is noble but I also thought a bit excessive. Should we let the kids spend their money on anything they want (even if it’s a waste of money) or try to show them the value of saving? – Frugal Dad

Dear Frugal: Define a waste of money. My guess is your definition will be vastly different from that of your children. In the eyes of a 7-year-old, a $50 bill is not much different from a $5 bill. Children don’t know what money can buy or why it might be worth it to save a bit.

Updated: Fri May 18, 2018

Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018

Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018


Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018
Dear Family Coach

Dear Family Coach: My children often receive holiday cards with money inside in the mail from their grandparents. They usually spend the money on stupid stuff they don’t need. One time my son gave a $50 bill to the American Heart Association, which is noble but I also thought a bit excessive. Should we let the kids spend their money on anything they want (even if it’s a waste of money) or try to show them the value of saving? – Frugal Dad

Dear Frugal: Define a waste of money. My guess is your definition will be vastly different from that of your children. In the eyes of a 7-year-old, a $50 bill is not much different from a $5 bill. Children don’t know what money can buy or why it might be worth it to save a bit.

Updated: Fri May 18, 2018

Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018

Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018


Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018
Dear Family Coach

Dear Family Coach: My children often receive holiday cards with money inside in the mail from their grandparents. They usually spend the money on stupid stuff they don’t need. One time my son gave a $50 bill to the American Heart Association, which is noble but I also thought a bit excessive. Should we let the kids spend their money on anything they want (even if it’s a waste of money) or try to show them the value of saving? – Frugal Dad

Dear Frugal: Define a waste of money. My guess is your definition will be vastly different from that of your children. In the eyes of a 7-year-old, a $50 bill is not much different from a $5 bill. Children don’t know what money can buy or why it might be worth it to save a bit.

Updated: Fri May 18, 2018

Letting Kids Handle Their Money and a Tattler for 05/18/2018

An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018


An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018
Dear Family Coach

Dear Family Coach: My son is scheduled to have his bar mitzvah next year, and it’s a very important event for our family. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see it that way. He never practices; he drags his feet to Hebrew school; and he has said repeatedly that he doesn’t care about Judaism. What can I do to change his attitude? – Kosher Pickle

Dear Kosher: This is a tough one because it involves faith and family and so many things you clearly hold dear. However, you’re pretty limited in what can be done. I’m guessing you’ve explained why his bar mitzvah is an important event. He likely knows the significance of the ritual and the history of the Jewish people. And yet, none of that has swayed him. At this point, you have two choices. You can continue to beg and bribe him until he finally makes it to the event. But you can’t complain if he doesn’t wow the crowd. The other option is to do absolutely nothing.

Updated: Sat May 12, 2018

An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018

An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018


An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018
Dear Family Coach

Dear Family Coach: My son is scheduled to have his bar mitzvah next year, and it’s a very important event for our family. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see it that way. He never practices; he drags his feet to Hebrew school; and he has said repeatedly that he doesn’t care about Judaism. What can I do to change his attitude? – Kosher Pickle

Dear Kosher: This is a tough one because it involves faith and family and so many things you clearly hold dear. However, you’re pretty limited in what can be done. I’m guessing you’ve explained why his bar mitzvah is an important event. He likely knows the significance of the ritual and the history of the Jewish people. And yet, none of that has swayed him. At this point, you have two choices. You can continue to beg and bribe him until he finally makes it to the event. But you can’t complain if he doesn’t wow the crowd. The other option is to do absolutely nothing.

Updated: Sat May 12, 2018

An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018

An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018


An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018
Dear Family Coach

Dear Family Coach: My son is scheduled to have his bar mitzvah next year, and it’s a very important event for our family. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see it that way. He never practices; he drags his feet to Hebrew school; and he has said repeatedly that he doesn’t care about Judaism. What can I do to change his attitude? – Kosher Pickle

Dear Kosher: This is a tough one because it involves faith and family and so many things you clearly hold dear. However, you’re pretty limited in what can be done. I’m guessing you’ve explained why his bar mitzvah is an important event. He likely knows the significance of the ritual and the history of the Jewish people. And yet, none of that has swayed him. At this point, you have two choices. You can continue to beg and bribe him until he finally makes it to the event. But you can’t complain if he doesn’t wow the crowd. The other option is to do absolutely nothing.

Updated: Sat May 12, 2018

An Uncooperative Bar Mitzvah Boy and a Budding Rapper for 05/12/2018