How to Talk to Your Children About the Economy

PBS Kid's TV Special Wed. Sept 9. At 8PM-"Families Stand Together:Feeling Secure in Tough Times"

There is no doubt, that with unemployment being so widespread families are struggling to make ends meet. There is tension among parents who are trying to keep it all together for the kids. They may be facing foreclosure or bankruptcy as a result of a job loss. Don't think the children haven't noticed or that they can't feel the tension. Kids are very perceptive and they feel stress just like adults do. How do you break it to the kids that with no job and possibly no home, you don't know what the future holds? How do you explain to kids that there is no money to take them to a movie or out to eat, or give them a birthday party? This is a tough place to be in as parents. I plan to address some of these concerns and offer some suggestions on how to talk to your kids and how to answer some of their questions so they won't feel depressed or responsible for the family's financial problems.

On Wed. Sept. 9, 2009, PBS TV will air a Sesame Street Special called "Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times," who will enlist Elmo to offer some advice on talking to their kids about what all of this means and to reassure them that everything will be ok. I recommend this show on Wed. evening on PBS which will air at 8 PM EST. It is geared toward children aged 2-8. Sit down and watch it as a family, and use this valuable tool to help your children understand and to encourage them to open up and talk about their fears.

Families need help to diffuse the anger and dismay over their circumstances. Hopefully some of the tips shared here can help the children feel safer, and in turn relieve some of the guilt and stress of the parents.

Be open with your kids