4th and Goal Commentary
Teaching Children to Live Simply
By Bill McCartney
How do we teach our children simplicity?
I'm Bill McCartney... It's 4TH and Goal!
In an age of rampant materialism, on Microsoft's MoneyCentral Web site,
columnist Janet Luhrs gave eight suggestions for parents helping their
families to live more simply.
First, we need to practice what we preach. For example, if mom
and dad are living in a state of perpetual debt, how can we expect to teach
our children the importance of living within their means? Example
is the best teacher.
Second, as in everything, we should talk openly with our kids about
the power of the media. Luhrs says she reminds them about the deceptive
nature of advertising.
Third, Luhrs suggests that parents teach their children to save, perhaps
by setting up an account for them.
Fourth, we must teach the difference between "wants" and "needs".
A child may need a new pair of shoes, but want the latest designer brand.
Fifth, we must insist that our children pay for extras. If they
want something that isn't covered by their normal allowance, require them
to do additional chores around the house and earn the money to buy it.
Sixth, we need to value our family time. Uninterrupted quality
time with our kids is an everyday essential. Say "no" to invitations that
would interfere with the sacred ritual of eating together.
Seventh, we should help our kids say "no" to excessive after-school
activities. Set limits. Life doesn't have to be an endless rat race.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we need to help ourselves and
our kids become better human beings. In addition to teaching the
value of hard work, financial responsibility, and family time, we should
model and extol virtues like kindness, compassion, and honesty.
These simple steps contrast sharply with the materialistic messages
our children receive every day from the media. It's up to us to turn
the tide, and provide them with a voice of reason.
I'm Coach Bill McCartney.
Source Material: "Teaching Children the Value of Simple Living,"
by Janet Luhrs.
http://www.moneycentral.com/articles/family/kids/1446.asp
************************************************************
Copyright (c) 2000 Promise Keepers.
4th and Goal - Coaching for Life's Tough Calls, with Bill McCartney,
is a radio ministry of Promise Keepers.
Heard on more than 470 outlets nationwide, 4th and Goal - Coaching for
Life's Tough Calls, with Bill McCartney, is a 3-minute daily radio commentary
providing men with a hope-filled approach to issues that men deal with
every day. The program addresses vital topics such as parenting, the fatherless,
teenage alienation, and marriage relationships, as well as reporting on
breaking news and research related to men's daily interests. 4th
and Goal transcripts are also available on the Internet.
Copyright Issues: E-mailed transcripts of 4th and Goal broadcasts
may be re-transmitted by electronic mail, and individual printed copies
of a particular 4th and Goal transcript may be copied and distributed,
provided that each such copy contain the credit line shown below, and any
such reproduction and distribution is not used for fundraising, or for
a profit or other commercial purpose. This permission does NOT extend
to recording or other sound reproduction of any 4th and Goal broadcast.
4th and Goal broadcasts also may NOT be reproduced in any form on the World
Wide Web or in broadcast media, print media or other media without express
written permission. Promise Keepers considers requests to reprint,
transmit, or otherwise reproduce 4th and Goal (or portions thereof) in
broadcast, print, or other media on a case-by-case basis; please contact
Promise Keepers Media Relations at (303) 964-7777 or media@promisekeepers.org
to submit a request.
Any copying, re-transmission, distribution, printing, or other reproduction
of 4th and Goal must contain the following credit line, in full, at the
conclusion of the portion of 4th and Goal that is reproduced:
Copyright (c) 2000-2001 Promise Keepers. Reprinted with permission.
"4th and Goal - Coaching for Life's Tough Calls," with Bill McCartney,
is a radio ministry of Promise Keepers.
Promise Keepers may withdraw or modify this grant of permission at any
time. "4th and Goal" is a trademark of Promise Keepers, a Colorado
nonprofit corporation.
http://www.4thandgoal.org
http://www.promisekeepers.org