It all started with a project: a dollhouse made out of wooden
bookcase, which my daughters built together with their father. They had labored on it
for weeks, and then when the dollhouse was finally done it was time to furnish
it.
My husband asked the girls to make a list of the
essential items needed to furnish the different
rooms of the house. Their wish list was very long: there were so many things
that they just couldn't do without.
Then he said: “You did a great job, and we will be happy
to halve the cost of the furniture that
you have chosen.” He announced it ceremoniously, as though he was
handing out a big award, which in a way
he was, it was just that they were caught off guard, our daughters were sure
that we were paying for everything.
I was as surprised as the girls: my husband had not divulged to me
his plan; he was probably worried that I
would protest. Indeed, although I said
nothing and went along, I secretly felt that at the age of 7 and 8 they were too
young to have their wings clipped in such a way. They were thrilled about the
finished dollhouse and were looking forward to the endless possibilities of
interior design.
It is not that he wasn't willing to spend the money, quite
the contrary, like the rest of us he was anxious to see the dollhouse come to
life. In retrospect I understand that this was a brilliant fiscal move. He seized an opportune moment to teach our
daughters the meaning of money - value,
making choices, taking responsibility, accountability and even patience.
The girls were not even resentful, as rational creatures
they just went ahead, made the calculation how much money they were willing to
spend, and came up with a much shorter list of the most important items.
As a business professor, My husband also wanted to demonstrate
to our daughters the concept of an
"interested party -- any of the people or organizations who may be
affected by a situation, or who are hoping to make money out of a situation.”
In their case, it meant that if they wanted something they had to take action. It was also an
empowering lesson, the girls saved money to buy new furniture, and made some
decorations themselves. The dollhouse has become more meaningful and valuable
because we didn’t just buy all the furniture for them at once.
Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood in London has a
collection of Georgian and Victorian
dollhouses. Some of the large ones were used as an instruction device
for young women to practice the subject of home economics in preparation for
their future role as ladies of the house.
http://www.museumofchildhood.org.uk/
Our dollhouse was used in a similar fashion, my husband believed that children should learn early about money so that
they could grow up to be responsible adults.
Soon Santa will be visiting many families,
perhaps now, before he arrives, it is also an auspicious time to start talking
to children about money .
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