Teenagers can get credit cards. Many affluent parents have given their kid a new car as soon as they get their driver's license.
When was the last time you noticed an actual paperboy delivering a newspaper? More often, it seems to be one of their parents doing the actual work.
Do you really see that many kids mowing grass anymore?
When was the last time you saw a lemonade stand?
In other words, the upcoming generations as a whole have never before faced the threat of long-term adversity or parental character building.
Add to that an entitlement mentality, and we potentially have a very big mess on our hands.
What will happen if people in these generations must actually face the prospect of fending for themselves?
We adults must look ourselves in the mirror, have a hardcore intervention with ourselves, and push the reset button.
First, why don't we remind ourselves of the gratification AND wisdom that can be gained from something that has actually been EARNED.
Let's look at lottery winners. Would it surprise you to know that about one-third of lottery winners end up in financial trouble or bankrupt within five years of turning in their winning numbers?
Many lottery jackpot winners end up in worse shape AFTER they win.
Compare them with the average millionaire entrepreneur. Ask the wealthy entrepreneur what would happen to them if they suddenly lost all of their wealth and most would tell you confidently that they would be on top again within a couple of years.
On the way up, they learned what it takes to get wealth and they learned some things about wealth maintenance.
They learned what works and what doesn't work. Once that type of knowledge is gained, you can repeat the process and do it even faster, avoiding the pitfalls you encountered the first time.
That knowledge and experience becomes power.
How can we make sure our young people have that sort of power? Stop giving them so much for nothing. Start saying NO!
Does a young teen need the world's best cell phone or basketball shoes? Is a brand new car or the newest X-box as important as living, breathing and being educated?
Next time your young teen is adamant about getting something, introduce them to eBay and PayPal.
If they are under 18, you must sponsor the accounts for them. But show them how to sell things that they already have.
When the child gets to the point that they want a car, the newest video game, a new pair of high-tech basketball shoes, whatever, ask them these 2 questions:
1. What is it worth to you?
2. What are you prepared to do for it?
Will they start mowing lawns for money? Will they ask for a paper route? Or will they just stare at you strangely?
If they want to mow lawns or shovel snow, why not show them how to advertise their services locally on the Internet?
Why not encourage them to go through their belongings and pick out items that they don't want or need anymore? Guide them through the process of posting those items on eBay.
Are they a good student? Encourage them to start their own little tutoring business. Technical geek? They can learn to build basic websites for local small businesses. Social butterfly? Show them how they can profit by advertising affiliate products and services through their Facebook pages and tweets.
Take their natural inclinations and show them how they can make money from them.
Once they start making their own money, they may just start to feel a bit of pride.
Once they make a little MORE money, they may begin to come up with more of their own ideas on what they can sell and how they can sell it.
Once they find that they can make money on demand, at will, they will start to feel empowered.
Once they feel that power, you will never be able to take it away.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_J._Smith
