I remember about 3 years ago, I met this really sweet/seemingly innocent girl from Europe. She was working with me on some assignments we had at the time, and one day we got into the discussion of money. She told me that when she was a child and teenager she didnt know how much money her parents made. She thought they were poor and was really surprised one day when she found out they were going to buy a relatively expensive item. (They were well-off but not rich.) I remember thinking to myself, bechari, her parents never told her and she lived in ignorance all this time. But I also thought that she had turned out to be such a wonderful person who wasnt materialisic, etc, and I really admired that quality about her.
I myself had grown up thinking my dad made a pretty average salary, to find out only about a year ago that there is no way that it could have been the figure I was told, just as my friend had told me about her parents. In a way I am glad because now I am cautious in my spending habits.
My question is, is it good to tell kids how much you make? Would you tell your children your salary/earnings? Or would you keep it a secret? Would you make up a bogus number and want them to believe that? Why? Thanks.
I believe honesty is very important in every relation, especially one that is as close as the parent-child relation. So making up numbers is definitely the wrong way.
However you don't have to rub it on their noses as well. If they wanna know it, tell them. As long as they aren't interested in it, you could keep quiet about it.
Hmmm....why should the kids know Munni? It seems like a 'baron kee baat'...To this day I don't know how much my parents earn, neither did they ever tell me nor did I ever want to know or ask...I think its better like that :)
My parents have never told me how much money they made, and t'ill this day, I have never asked them. I honestly never cared to find out either, it's really none of my business.
We were told by my parents for certain reasons. I dunno, I guess every parent is different. My childhood was also different than most peoples so its hard to explain. grin
irem and Fret, you still havent mentioned if you'd tell your children if they asked. smile
My dad never told me how much he earned.. all he's ever said is a figure that he earns more than.
My mum started work about 3 years ago, though, and she's always shared her salary with me and my brother (she had nothing to hide... she made less money than either of us and she knew it)
And no way I would tell my kids how much I made. I would tell them just a minimum level that I earned more than, just as my dad told me.
I don’t think there is any need to tell your kids how much you make. Is there really any reason for them to know? Will it make any difference? It shouldn’t. I guess the only time I would ever tell my kids about my salary is when they actually start working themselves so they realise how hard it is to make money and be grateful they have an opportunity to work unlike many others in the world. I would ONLY tell them if they ask or if I felt they were being underpaid. Personally, I’ve never asked my parents how much they make. They know how much I make though.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Munni: *
irem and Fret, you still havent mentioned if you'd tell your children if they asked. *smile
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Millionaire or dirt poor, I'd never tell my kids how much I made. There is no reason for it. Kids in the schoolyard can talk a lot, and there's no reason to put them in a situation where they feel superior or inferior to someone else.
Waisae, I have been working part time on campus during part of my college life and my parents never asked me how much I was making etc. They were always on the giving end in fact. I don't think its really important to know how much your parents/kids are earning...as long as aram se ghar chal rha hae whats there to think or worry abt... :)
... yeah i agree no need to tell ur kids.. the only time i found out was for taxation purposes and also when my lil sis was thinknig bout getting youth allowance...
but yeah my parents know about how much i earn... it doesnt bother me at all...
My parents never told me how much they earned, nor did I care to ask. I had a set of things that were given and anther set that I had to do chores to get. It was only in college that I had the chance of finding out how much my father makes because I was organizing his office..even then the best I know is a rough figure as the income is divided between the partners.
Who cares how much your parents make? I would not tell my kids willingly, like a dinner table conversation. If they ask then certainly I will be truthful. I have seen a few people who I grew up with an illusion of their parents riches..just because they lived in an exclusive neighborhood and the parents had the new company car...for them, it was a shock.
My parents did not know how much I made, as they are never interested in these matters. I think these a major difference between income and net worth..the former is NOT an indicator of your financial status.
i think upto a certain age kids should be kept away from all such "barron ki baatein" but as they mature and recah the age where they should be aware of certain things to make them able citizens it gets imp that they know this stuff, not the exact figures etc. but perhaps a rough idea so that they could understand the limits and stuff. i think kids may know enough to train them well, and not any more than is their business...
Kids shouldnt be told. Trust is important & when they do ask, then honestly tell them how much u earn.
When I asked my dad 1nce, I got a reply "Why do u wanna know...?" I didnt have a reply so I shut up & didnt bother asking again. I later came across his bank statement while I was cleaning up his drawers. I alwayz assumed we were poor but his bank statement really opened my eyez.
My parents never told me how much they earned. I was given ehat I needed, and much of what I wanted but they did not fulfill every want and whim.
I found out a little when I was applying to universities in the US and financial support proof was needed, just then I found out my dad's base pay, and some assets. Years later I was made aware of some other sources. I did not even know about his partnership in a manufacturing company until 2 years ago.
I suppose it was good for 2 reasons,
1- kids can blab and if you want to protect your privacy its best nto to tell them
2- I had no idea about what our financial state was since we always lived very modestly, and thus I did not act like a brat or pressure my parents for stuff I as a kid or a teenager would have demanded otherwise.
i never knew how much my parents made till i was 12...but i personaly wouldnt want my kids knowing how much i make. If i was making good money, id tell them i dont make good money, so they can learn to respect of a dollar. Maybe tell them the truth when they get finished with high school.
