英语美文：树立孩子一生的金钱观

 Teaching Children Money Habits for Life

　　The life-long benefits of teaching children good money habits make it well worth the effort. Children who are not taught these lessons pay the consequences for a life-time. Some parents don't teach children about money because they think they shouldn't talk about money with children, don't have the time, or think they don't have enough money. Parents should take the time to teach children about money regardless of their income and should start when children are young.

　　Most people have strong feelings and opinions about money, based on childhood experiences and the values and beliefs of their families. Most often, these experiences, values, and beliefs are different for each parent. It is vital for the healthy development of children that parents talk about these feelings and opinions and establish a consistent approach to teaching children about money.

　　Here are some guidelines parents can keep in mind as they begin the financial socialization of their children:

　　Guide and advise rather than direct and dictate¹ how the child's money should be used.

　　Encourage and praise the child rather than criticize and rebuke² actions taken.

　　Allow children to learn by mistakes and by successes.

　　Be consistent while taking children's differences into account.

　　Include all family members in money management discussions, decision making, and activities as appropriate for their age.

　　Explain to children what they can and cannot do and the consequences of violating the limits.

　　As children get older increasingly include them in discussions of limits and consequences.

　　Expect all family members to perform unpaid³, routine household chores based on their abilities.

　　Express your desire to have things you can't afford. Children need to know that parents say “no” to themselves, too.

1 dictate   

v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令

参考例句：

• It took him a long time to dictate this letter.口述这封信花了他很长时间。
• What right have you to dictate to others?你有什么资格向别人发号施令？

2 rebuke   

v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise

参考例句：

• He had to put up with a smart rebuke from the teacher.他不得不忍受老师的严厉指责。
• Even one minute's lateness would earn a stern rebuke.哪怕迟到一分钟也将受到严厉的斥责。

3 unpaid   

adj.未付款的，无报酬的

参考例句：

• Doctors work excessive unpaid overtime.医生过度加班却无报酬。
• He's doing a month's unpaid work experience with an engineering firm.他正在一家工程公司无偿工作一个月以获得工作经验。