My parents, like many others at the time, married soon after WWII in England.
My father worked shiftwork, my mother raised a family of 3 (a 4th child died before his 2nd birthday) we had enough, Food, a roof over our head (rented), an old car that would take us on vacation once a year. Life was good, but only good enought to get by.
I knew from an early age that when I left school, 'I' would have to support MYSELF!
I did not do well at school. I have a learning disability (dyslexia, which was not understood at the time) so the problem of 'how could I make money' was ever present as I was growng up.
By luck, and allowing luck to play a roll, and by hard work, I have been quite successful.
But along the way there have been hard times, to the point where I could not always aford to eat what I wanted to eat, or heat the house to a comfortable level.
In return, I have learned the value of money.
My wife also knew some hardship growing up, and as a result had her only child late in life, when she had some financial stability. Our daughter had the opportunity of a good education and support during university, but learned 'money does not grow on trees'
As a result she pursued her career and did not have her child until she was almost 40 (now or never!)
Our daughters partner (of 15 years) comes from a family pretty much just like ours ie. Parents worked hard, and had 1 child late in life.
We all love our grandson. BUT we realize he will grow up in circumstances VERY differant to ours or our children. In that, if things play out as they should, He has got one heck of a lot of money coming his way before he gets old!
Will he REALLY learn the value of money if he does not have to?
Having not had money (I won't use the word poor) has given me insight, and empathy for those people that work hard but still struggle financially. It has also taught me to be resourceful.
It is my hope our grandson will learn these values from his parents, but fear he may already be too far removed from that reality understand.
Just my random thoughts.
My father worked shiftwork, my mother raised a family of 3 (a 4th child died before his 2nd birthday) we had enough, Food, a roof over our head (rented), an old car that would take us on vacation once a year. Life was good, but only good enought to get by.
I knew from an early age that when I left school, 'I' would have to support MYSELF!
I did not do well at school. I have a learning disability (dyslexia, which was not understood at the time) so the problem of 'how could I make money' was ever present as I was growng up.
By luck, and allowing luck to play a roll, and by hard work, I have been quite successful.
But along the way there have been hard times, to the point where I could not always aford to eat what I wanted to eat, or heat the house to a comfortable level.
In return, I have learned the value of money.
My wife also knew some hardship growing up, and as a result had her only child late in life, when she had some financial stability. Our daughter had the opportunity of a good education and support during university, but learned 'money does not grow on trees'
As a result she pursued her career and did not have her child until she was almost 40 (now or never!)
Our daughters partner (of 15 years) comes from a family pretty much just like ours ie. Parents worked hard, and had 1 child late in life.
We all love our grandson. BUT we realize he will grow up in circumstances VERY differant to ours or our children. In that, if things play out as they should, He has got one heck of a lot of money coming his way before he gets old!
Will he REALLY learn the value of money if he does not have to?
Having not had money (I won't use the word poor) has given me insight, and empathy for those people that work hard but still struggle financially. It has also taught me to be resourceful.
It is my hope our grandson will learn these values from his parents, but fear he may already be too far removed from that reality understand.
Just my random thoughts.
