Teaching Kids to be Non-Materialistic

At this time of year it’s easy to get swept up in the commercialism of the season. We’ve put together 5 suggestions on how you can help your little ones avoid becoming too materialistic.

Teach them to pay-it-forward

The Holiday season is the perfect time of year to encourage children to pay it forward. Whether it’s buying the coffee of the person behind you in the Tim Horton’s line up or putting together a Christmas donation box, there are so many ways to pay-it-forward.

Make it fun by seeing how many creative ideas you can come up with.

Help them prioritize their own money

When you’re young, it’s easy for money to burn a hole in your pocket! If you give your child a weekly or monthly allowance, this is a great opportunity to talk to them about how they can manage their money.

Help them to begin budgeting their money by making a list of the cost of some of the things they like to purchase; such as toys and favourite candy. This helps them to understand the value of a dollar (or ten dollars) and budget their money for the higher priced items.

Encourage them to save some and donate some as well as spending some. The desire to give should come from the heart, but if you begin to discuss with them the causes that are important to them; as well as how their donations can help this cause, children are able to see the ability they have to make a difference in their world.

Decide your Family Values

What does your family want to be known for? What’s important to you? These are great conversations to have with your children, especially as they get older.

Decide on what this looks like and the ways you can embody this as a family. If being kind is important to you; or being generous; what activities can you do as a family that gives you the opportunity to be that?

Model it

Children get their cues from the adults in their life; what you talk about and the things you place importance on will shape their views too.

Help your little one understand that having beautiful things is ok; but they aren’t the measure of their worth as a person.

Focus on Quality Time together

It’s often been said that the wealthiest people aren’t those who have the most money, but the richest relationships.

The holiday season is a great time to introduce new traditions – perhaps you’ll create memories sledding in Discovery Park; or helping with a local Hot Meal drive; or perhaps you’ll start an annual Holiday board-game contest.

However you decide to spend time together, you’ll create memories that will last a life time.

How do you help your child focus on relationships this holiday season?