Anti-Spoiling

In today's highly materialistic world, "money" is a topic of constant concern and unavoidable in the family, yet how to talk about money with children often leaves parents at a loss: saying the family is well off may make the child show off; saying there is no money may make the child feel inferior; and saying nothing at all raises fears that the child will have money problems later in life. This book seeks to correct a common misconception—parents often assume money is what most easily spoils a child and feel embarrassed to discuss it with them; but the author points out that money itself is neutral and is an important educational tool that can be used to cultivate a child's values and good character. The book is structured around nine money questions common in families, covering topics such as allowance, consumption, materialism, giving, work, gratitude, and how much is enough: giving a child an allowance is related to cultivating patience; helping a child understand the meaning of work is related to cultivating perseverance; guiding a child to spend wisely is related to cultivating the wisdom of trade-offs; and forming a habit of giving is related to cultivating a generous character. Drawing on research in sociology, psychology, and personal finance, as well as his years of observation as a father and New York Times columnist, the author offers a wealth of real cases and actionable conversation methods to help parents turn conversations about money into a family education about values.