Giving children allowances is not the only way for your children to earn money. You can also get your child exposed to working like adults do. Your child doesn’t need to finish school before he or she gets exposed to the world of working. Children may not actually understand what it means but in the real world everyone works to earn a pay; either as a self employed person or an employee. Money doesn’t just come to you because you need it. You need to work to make a living and then work towards financial freedom.

Younger children might not be able to work in some places because of labour laws but that doesn’t mean your child needs to forget about earning money until he or she is older. They can start with something as simple as having a stand in a program you’re involved in to sell. Depending on the age, he or she might offer babysitting services, housekeeping services, learn a new skill such as fashion designing, hairdressing, shoemaking, makeup artistry, etc and make money from any of it. If you have a business of your own, you can allow your child work there so he or she can know how the business operates. If they will take over the business from you then it will also make sense they know how it runs now. Work means responsibility and working will make your child learn how to follow through on promises.

I have heard parents who feel they are well to do say that children don’t have to do menial things if one can afford to take care of them. Interestingly, it shouldn’t work that way. Children learn better by observation, imitation and repetition. A child will understand money making more if he or she is able to see how it works and also has the opportunity to do it over and over again. The ability to manage money and delay gratification will also be learnt from handling money. Children don’t need your money. All they need is roots and wings. Roots to be grounded in life and wings to soar high so they can achieve their destinies. That is your duty to them.

I will appreciate your thoughts on this. Will you encourage your child to get a job? If yes, what kind of jobs will you find suitable?

Photo Credits: Moodboard/Corbis

– Gbonjubola Sanni