As parents, we want to give our children the life skills to survive on their own as adults. Part of that is teaching them about money. How do you do that? You have to teach them intentionally –look for the teachable moments. Work is how money is made. There has to be an emotional and intellectual connection between work and money. Because this connection needs to be emphasized, never use the word allowance. Instead, pay commissions.

When your children do chores, they get their commission. If they don’t do their chores, they don’t get paid. Obviously chores should be age-appropriate. Let their giving be spontaneous and give tons of affirmation for giving to anything. There are plenty of times later on to teach judgement about how much and where to give. Just let your little one grab some of his cash from his piggy bank to offer during mass; he will beam with the look of a job well done.