How to talk to kids about economy
4:12 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2008
Like most high school sophomores, Troy Kurtti doesn't know what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is.
"Isn't that a company that's going down?" Kurtti asked.
Whether the market falls 60 or 600 points, it makes no difference to him.
But he does know that he doesn't get to do everything he used to.
"My grandma's not getting enough money or whatever to give me," Kurtti said. "I can't really do a lot more stuff like I usually do."
As Wall Street closes out one of its worst weeks in history, many people are finding their money doesn't stretch as far.
It puts stress on them and, indirectly, their kids.
"They know things are difficult for some reason and often times kids blame themselves," said clinical social worker Joyce Markham.
Markham said it's important for parents to talk to their kids about family finances.
"'Okay, kids, things are tight. We're not gonna be able to do things like we used to.' Well what does that mean?" Markham said. "I think with kids you need to be more specific. Today we're not gonna be able to do this."
And no matter how far the markets fall, Markham says it's also important to not be too negative, which could stress your kids out even more.
"I want them to know that there's hope," she said. "I want them to believe there's hope. Because I think without the hope, we're all gonna give up."
Find age-specific ways to talk to your kids.
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