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5 Ways to Invest In Your Children’s Future

Gina Young · June 15, 2014 · 14 Comments

Investing. Typically, when we talk about investing, we are thinking about putting money into stocks, bonds, or mutual funds in a retirement account or a savings account. There is usually a tangible goal in mind: being able to retire comfortably or paying for a child’s college education. That type of investing is definitely something that should be a part of every person’s financial plan. But that is not the only type of investing that is important.  Here are 5 ways to invest in your children’s future.

Investing is more than just about money. Here are 5 ways to invest in your children's future #investing #family #inspirational

We need to be investing in the lives of our children in a way that is far more critical than financially — emotionally and relationally. Being a parent is so much more than just providing food, clothes, and shelter for a child. Raising a child involves teaching them values, morals, and ethics. Whether you are actually an involved participant in teaching your children this or not, they will acquire a set of values, morals, and ethics, or a lack thereof, depending on the upbringing they receive.

5 ways that you can actively participate in your children’s lives

So how do you actually invest in your children? How do you know you are achieving your goal when there are no quantitative measures?

Make eye contact with your kids

from the time a baby is born, they start to gain an understanding of the world around them and how much they are loved based on the eye contact they receive. Even as an infant, a worldview is starting to form. Take the time every day to look your child in the eye and tell him you love him—it doesn’t matter if your child is 6 months old or 16 years old.

Investment:

Self-Worth—by looking in his eyes, you are telling your child, “You have value.”

Say “I love you.”

This one may seem self-evident, but, trust me, you need to actually say it. Clearly communicating this simple message with your child often is critical. Through the trials that they will surely face in life—a mean kid at school, breaking up with a boyfriend, peer pressure—if your daughter knows that you, her parent, loves her, getting through these situations will be easier for her.

 Investment:

Security—by actually uttering the words “I love you,” you are letting your child know, unequivocally, that no matter what the world brings their way, you are there for them.

Give compliments

As parents, we are so used to telling our kids what they can’t do and what they did wrong, that is it essential to make a concerted effort to tell them when they’ve done something right. In doing so, we are helping to raise a confident child. Just to get through the day without someone getting hurt, I feel like I am telling my kids every couple of minutes what not to do—a negative directive: “don’t throw the ball in the house,” “no wrestling by the fireplace,” “pick up your toys before someone trips over something and gets hurt…” Yes, this is a parent’s job, however, it makes it just that much more important to catch them doing something good. It can be anything, even something little: “you did a great job cleaning your room,” “thank you for mowing the lawn,” “I’m proud of you…”

Investment:

Self-Esteem—each time you tell your child they did something good, you are building up their confidence

Spend quality time together

In order to invest in the lives of your children, you need to actually be there. Yes, face-time matters. Maybe you are busy traveling with your job, maybe you are putting in hours around the clock trying to get your new business off-the-ground, but you can figure out a way to carve out quality time for your family. In the grand scheme of life, will your children be able to remember that you went to their baseball games, cheerleading competitions, or awards ceremony at school? Will they remember sitting down and eating dinner together as a family? Will they remember you teaching them to drive? Will they remember being able to talk to you about major life decisions, such as college, a career path, or renting their first apartment? Perhaps, you time is limited due to circumstances in life that you can’t control, but that is not an excuse for not making the time you do have with your kids count. After all, it is entirely possible for a parent to see their children every day, but not really be there.

Investment:

Yourself—investing time into your children creates memories for them. Someday when you are gone, the memories will still live on. Don’t live a life that will cause you to look back with the regret of “I wish I had spent more time with my kids.”

Eternity

For me, this is the most important. You may have heard the saying, “the family that prays together, stays together.” I think there is a lot of truth to this. Honoring God as a family helps to keep other priorities in order as well.

Investment:

Purpose—understanding that God has a plan for each of us, gives life meaning. Teaching my children about God is investing in their eternity.

5 Ways to Invest in Your Children's Future #investing #parenting #motherhood #family #momlife

Related article: 10 Reasons Why the Toddler Years are the Best (& Worst) Years of Your Life as a Parent

Investing isn’t always dollars and cents, sometimes it’s just common sense.

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Filed Under: Family Life, Investing, Parenting Tagged With: balancing work and family, family time, investing in your children, work and family

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. saving{s} grace says

    June 15, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Love this! Thanks for posting 🙂

    Reply
  2. Simply Save says

    June 19, 2014 at 1:15 am

    Great picture!

    PS-I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award! http://simplysavemn.com/2014/06/18/sunshine-award/

    Reply
  3. Lauren Tamm says

    September 11, 2014 at 10:57 am

    These are such great reminders. Quality time is a major focus in our household as are words of affirmation. I’ve been reading a lot articles mentioning eye contact lately, so I’ve really been working on getting my son to look me in the eye when I am trying to tell him something or do an activity with him. This way I know he is actively engaged, rather than focusing on something else or off in dreamland. #ibabloggers

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Ward says

    October 20, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    This is a great post! I really like the idea of making eye contact, nothing really shows that you are listen like stopping what you are doing, making eye contact, and giving your undivided attention to a child. Life gets so busy but making that 30 second investment can truly make a difference. Pinned this for a reminder!

    Reply
  5. Chris Carter (@themomcafe) says

    October 23, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Oh, how I love this!! When I first saw the title, I thought to myself “Yeah- we should really be looking into this investment stuff” and now? AH! YES!! This investment is much more important than any dollar amount!! Perfect. 🙂

    Reply
  6. pennypinchingpeach says

    October 23, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    That is a thoughtful list of some of the most worthwhile ways to invest in our children. Thank you!

    Reply
  7. balmtomysoul says

    October 23, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    These are so true! Following!

    Reply
  8. Tami says

    October 24, 2014 at 2:20 am

    This is very well written. I need to print this out and put it somewhere I will see it often.

    Reply
  9. femmefrugality says

    October 25, 2014 at 12:37 am

    Aw, this is so cute! And so true! The most important investment we can make in our kids is not monetary at all. Time, love, and building that self-esteem are worth more than money can buy.

    Reply
  10. Lisa O'Driscoll says

    May 30, 2015 at 12:24 am

    I love this post…these things are all so important! You have an adorable family, too!!!

    Reply
  11. Gina B says

    May 30, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    This is a very important list! It’s so easy to get caught up in the “stuff” and the “must dos” of life (yea, take it from someone with 2 kids with special needs!) We need to be pouring into them and not missing the little things. I have a 9yo and 12yo, and time is running out for my little one to still be a little one. My older girl is already a young lady, and hugs and horseplay are starting to become an invitation for her to roll her eyes LOL! Don’t miss out, stop and engage them now!!

    Reply
  12. Kim @ This Ole Mom says

    June 1, 2015 at 6:44 pm

    Great post and beautiful family. I agree it’s important to invest in your family.We make it a habit to spend quality family time together. I always tell my children I love them and etc.

    Reply
    • Gina Young says

      June 1, 2015 at 7:08 pm

      Thanks, Kim!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Share the Wealth Sunday Link Up {#6} - Money Savvy Living says:
    May 30, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    […] Money Savvy Living: 5 Ways to Invest in Your Children’s Future […]

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