There are some subjects about which people are enormously uncomfortable talking to their kids and money is one of them. It doesn’t make much sense to me especially when you realize by not talking about money you are simply perpetuating the fears and discomfort. Kids leave home without any idea about what to do or how to handle themselves appropriately and there is a stigma and a shame surrounding money. This was the way that I grew up and, unsurprisingly, I left home with all of the hang-ups that I just mentioned. I was determined not to pass this on to my son and I started talking to him about money at a young age – even though, I admit, it was uncomfortable for me at first.

However, as the years passed we worked through it together and I saw that in talking openly and honestly about money with my son it was making the whole subject less scary – for both of us. I was learning right along with him to deal with money upfront.

As he got older we talked about more and before he left for college I talked to him about his credit report and how poor financial decisions can impact that report for years to come – even hindering his ability to get a car or a home (which had happened to me when I was young). I even ordered free credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus so I could show him what a free credit report looked like up close and personal.

We went over the credit report and the score and I told him how important it was to order free credit reports each year to protect himself against errors and even identity theft. I surely hope that this new attitude about money has given him the confidence to act responsibly and without fear.

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