How Do You Reassure Your Kids About the Economy?

If your kids are school-age, they’ve probably heard something about the recent economic news, even if you haven’t said anything to them. They probably haven’t heard much, unless they’re teenagers: maybe a passing comment about the stock market tanking or about companies going under, or maybe they read something in the newspaper on your kitchen table. They probably didn’t really understand what they heard, but they may have understood enough to worry them about if it’s going to affect your family.

So, what do you tell them? How do you convince them that, no matter what they’ve heard, you’re still going to have a roof over your heads and food in the fridge? And, even more seriously, what if you are directly affected by the recent news: What if you’re in danger of losing your house due to the mortgage crisis, or if you work at one of the many companies who will either be going under or shedding jobs?

There aren’t any right answers here, and you may be searching for ways to reassure yourself at the same time you’re trying to assuage your kids’ fears. My kids haven’t asked about the news yet, but I’m seriously considering asking them if they’ve heard anything, because I don’t want them to worry about it silently.

So we’re asking you, our readers: What’s your strategy? How do you keep your kids from worrying about something you yourself may be seriously worried about? Please leave a comment with your thoughts.

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