My husband, our main breadwinner, was once unemployed for an extended period, and my teenagers knew things were tight. My youngest asked me point-blank if we were going to be able to keep our house. I had to be honest with her and say that I did not know God’s plans for us, but that He would provide. A few days later, her youth minister called me and said I needed to talk to her, that she had requested prayer in youth group that we could have to move out any day. Even as a teen, she did not have the adult knowledge to know that if that should happen (which it did not), it would have taken a few months. I caused her unnecessary anxiety. Do not talk about upsetting things in front of your child even on the phone in front of them—especially young children. Keep adult conversations for the adults. You do not want to create anxiety in your child. They internalize a lot more than we give them credit for, but their minds are not mature enough to process the issues in the way an adult would. As illustrated with my daughter, kids take things literally and often imagine the worst. Teach your children responsibility in financial areas, but do not share all the family finances with them. They do not need to know you may not know where the groceries are coming from that week. They need to have stability and know that you are handling things. For instance, they might overhear you express you do not know how you are going to buy groceries, not realizing that you are figuring out a way, and thus causing them to think they might go hungry. Make sure that you assure them of God’s provision and watchcare in our lives. Let them hear you pray for the Lord to provide what you need and then rest in His promises. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:19, KJV]
—Cathy, Fort Worth, TX
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