How to explain price hikes to my 2 children?

barksavingmad

Hi guys

I'm on my own bringing ups 2 children ages 9 and 10. I like many thousands of you are really really really finding it tough right now, and with things soon to get tougher, I need to really have a chat with the children.

They are both quite bright, but I would like to explain the situation we find ourselves in, in a simplistic way, short and simple, in terms they would be able to understand, and for them to act upon.

They are both great, and do not ask for lots, but now it's the summer holidays, what better time to explain to them that they have to be aware of their enivonment, turn lights off, don't stay in the shower for half an hour, eat what they are given etc without too many moans and groans! I'm not after perfect children, but instead of it coming across as nagging, reminding them how hard I work for very little!... I'd like them to understand why food prices are going up, fuel prices are rocketing etc without worrying them too much.

What do you think. There must be many of you that have done this.

Would really appreciate some feedback.

Thanks in advance.

My_Fathers_Daughter

What a good idea - I wonder if this would be any help?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7360000/newsid_7360300/7360342.stm


DSS (8) often tells me he has heard about it on Newsround when I try and explain something :rolleyes:

Smashing

My_Fathers_Daughter wrote: »

What a good idea - I wonder if this would be any help?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7360000/newsid_7360300/7360342.stm


DSS (8) often tells me he has heard about it on Newsround when I try and explain something :rolleyes:

Have you read the comments?


"I need a new i-Pod and mummy said I had to save up with all my little pennies, but I've only got 10p." Kaiya, 9, Brighton, England

:rotfl:

Another one complaining about only having one holiday. Bless.

The newsround thing looks good - there's no point going into loads of detail or worrying them unecessarily. Just be sure to emphasise that they can come and talk to you and whilst you may need to cut back in some areas, things will be ok and nothing drastic is going to happen - their imagination can run away with them at times and some kids are natural worriers.

msmicawber

Mine are older now, so tend to understand adult news reports and want to discuss them, which is handy, but when they were your children's ages, I found Newsround quite handy for starting discussions and for gauging their level of understanding. I used to grab opportunities to explain why I was short of money and remind them that our household had 3 people and one wage, rather than 3 or 4 people and two wages. They do tend to be very indiscreet that young, so be careful that you only tell them things that you don't mind them broadcasting to all and sundry!

moo2moo

Put it to them in a way that they can understand. Either they can buy 2 ice creams from the ice cream van at £1.30 each (so £2.60) or they can go to Tesco, buy a pack of 10 imitation cornettos, have 1 each a day all week and still have enough for a doughnut from the bakery. I know which mine would go with. Following on from this £30 for dinner out a Pizza Hut or a trolley full of fruit and veg from the supermarket

The same goes for the cinema (£18 for a family of 4) the alternative is a new game for their Wii and dinner at home. Or a trip to the park with a picnic and money towards a day at the zoo later in the holidays.

You don't need to tell them you haven't got much spare cash you just find a way to make sure they know how much further you can make it stretch with a little ingenuity.

Paparika

Just explain to them that there isn't always money to do things.

Ask them suggestions as to save money get them involved

Broken_hearted

Mine havealways been told to not waste water/electric/food and always will be no matter how rich or poor we are its just a sensible way to live. We also take picnics when we go out for the day, buy tubs of ice cream and do loads of free activities.

inkie

My DDs are 12 and 9, and we have frequent discussions about the cost of things - we do the comparison thing, for example, they were asking about a Mc Donalds tomorrow - but then they said that we would be able to buy food for a couple of days for what we would spend on one meal from Mc D's. They are really getting the hand of making the money go further!

barksavingmad

Thanks so much for all your helpful replies, I have already mentioned in conversation some of your examples and am now geared up for future conversations! Thanks you guys are fab :T

inkie

You will soon find that they are giving you the ideas....!