Money Saving Mom®

Last week, one of my children made a really negative comment out of the blue.

It caught me off guard and I immediately got ready to launch into a dissertation on why we don’t say things like that. But right before I opened my mouth to give my big speech, I realized something: this child had heard a very similar comment from me recently.

No, it wasn’t a comment I made to them or even when I had realized they were listening, but nonetheless, I had said it and I’m pretty much positive that’s where this child picked it up from.

Ouch.

My children are watching. My children are listening. My children are observing.

It’s been wisely said that more is caught than taught. What are my children going to “catch” from me today? Enthusiasm for learning? Grace for difficult people? Grumbling about interruptions? Critical words toward others?

• If I want my children to have clean rooms, I need to do more than just tell them to keep their room clean. I need to set an example by keeping my room clean, too.
• If I want my children to be wise with money, I need to do more than just talk about the importance of financial freedom and stewardship. I need to set an example by practicing good money management skills in front of them.
• If I want my children to be respectful of other people — no matter who they are, I need to do more than just verbalize how imperative it is that we show respect. I need to set an example by constantly being respectful in my words and deeds for everyone I come in contact with.
• If I want my children to use their time wisely instead of squandering it, I need to do more than just remind them often to use their minutes well. I need to set an example of diligence and focus in my own time management.

I will never be a perfect parent. In fact, there is no such thing. I need God’s grace every moment of every day as a mother.

I struggle. I make mistakes. I have to ask forgiveness.

But in spite of my inadequacies, I want to do my best to give my children something great to imitate. Because at the end of the day, my children are going to learn more from the life I’m living before them than from the dissertations I give them.

For those who haven’t heard, Kroger announced yesterday that they will be buying all the Harris Teeter stores.

While this will likely mean no more double and triple coupon events, the good news is that Kroger does regularly offer some great Mega Event sales and loss leader deals.

What do you think? Will this mean better deals or are you really disappointed about this change?

Last night, Kathrynne and I went to Dillon’s together to do some grocery shopping. It’s been awhile since just the two of us have gone grocery shopping together and we had a lot of fun scouting out deals, evaluating options, and picking the best values.

I let her help me figure out which items were the best bang for our buck — and a few times she came up with even better options than I’d thought of in the first place. On the way home, we talked more about money and stewardship and why we’ve made the choices we have with our finances.

All of this took time and energy — something I was feeling short on last night. Truth be told, I was planning to just rush to the store by myself after Jesse got home, get the items on my list, and get home as quickly as possible.

But if I had done that, I would have missed out on such a great teaching opportunity — and the special blessing of quality time and a heart-to-heart talk with Kathrynne. I’m so glad I said “yes” when she asked if she could come with me as I was getting ready to walk out the door.

The cherry on top was Kathrynne telling me when we were almost home, “I think you do a really good job of teaching me to be wise with money.”

I don’t always take the time like I did last night. It’s easier to do things myself instead of letting the kids work and learn alongside me. It takes extra effort to let them help — and when they are toddlers it really isn’t “help” at all.

There are times when I don’t capitalize on teaching opportunities. There are times when I get frustrated at my childrens’ constant questions. There are many times when I set a poor example before my children and have to ask their forgiveness.

But when I do take the time to really listen and engage them in discussions, to invite them to join in with whatever I’m doing, to welcome their questions, and to let them learn alongside me, it’s always worth it. And those are the moments that really matter… much more than whatever seems so “pressing” right then.

So I’m challenging myself (and encourage you moms to join me in this challenge, too): let’s be more present in our childrens’ every day lives. In 25 years from now, we won’t regret it.