There seems to be this weird expectation out there that we need to be the perfect role model for our children. If we don’t live up to this expectation, we berate ourselves and can feel powerless.
Honestly if anyone finds this perfect role model mum, please send them my way so I can learn from them.
Yes, I absolutely believe that role-modelling is the most effective way to teach our children ‘HOW TO BE WITH MONEY’. But I also think that for many of us (me a few years back) role modelling good financial habits, an abundance money mindset and healthy money beliefs is hugely scary and feels almost impossible.
So instead we shy away from it and do nothing. When in actual fact we, including YOU and ME, are more than capable of educating ourselves about money, replacing a scarcity way of thinking with an abundance way of thinking and re-writing our unconscious non-factual money stories into stories that support our dreams and success (and are factual).
Yes it’s not an overnight quick fix, and it involves commitment, sacrifice, dedication and effort. But the results for us and our children far outweigh any of that.
Finding a starting point and a pathway is often the most challenging part of learning a new skill or habit. If we are not financially literate, it all seems too confusing and overwhelming at this point and often we quietly step off the pathway before we have even taken our first step.
So I have created this 10 point checklist (below) as a guide and a starting point. I will chat about points 1,2 and 3 today and give you a worksheet to start replacing your limiting beliefs.
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The place to start this journey is at the beginning and for many of us this beginning is TO STOP BLAMING OURSELVES FOR WHAT WE LEARNT AS A CHILD. Seriously, we had no control over what happened in our lives as children. We cannot change that but we can change what we do TODAY and TOMORROW, which leads to a solid financial foundation for our children.
The second step in this journey is to REALISE THAT MONEY AND YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION DO NOT CONTROL YOU. It may not feel like it right now, but you CAN BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR MONEY AND YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION and you can start taking back that control right now.
STOP AND SAY THIS 12 TIMES BEFORE YOU CONTINUE READING: I AM GOOD WITH MONEY. I AM CAPABLE OF HAVING ENOUGH MONEY. I AM OPEN TO RECEIVE. I AM OPEN TO GIVE.
Next step in the journey is to uncover our LIMITING BELIEFS and REPLACE THEM WITH SUPPORTIVE BELIEFS. Experts tell us that children learn most from observing what is happening around them. They also tell us that our money beliefs are formed by age 7.
I am sure they are but I also believe (based on personal experience) that as adults, we can change these beliefs. We first have to acknowledge and uncover them and then replace them. It’s a process but one we can all go through, if we choose to do so.
I started uncovering money beliefs in my late 40’s. It was a total mindblow to see how they had completely and utterly driven my financial (and other) behaviour. (I am forever grateful that I married a man in finance-I hate to think what my financial situation would be if I hadn’t).
This is seriously exciting work that you are about to do. Don’t expect quick instant results. Be patient and consistent and you will without a doubt start to reap huge benefits.
AND SO WILL YOUR CHILD!