BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
career coach
Trust.
How To Tell
Your Kids You
Lost Your Job
R
ecently I saw
a PBS Sesame
Street special
that stressed
the impact the dreary
economy has on families
and their children. In the
segment, Elmo's mom lost
her job and was forced
to communicate the situ-
ation to her son. In this
made-for-TV show, the
family works together to
save money; they eat at
home more often, borrow movies
from the library rather than going to
freely given, or only earned? The answer is hardly simple, especially in the
context of managing another's money. That's why we at Greenleaf Trust
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continue to do so each night. If
you play board games after dinner,
you lose your home? Do you know
how you would handle this delicate
situation? If it happens, how can
you talk to your kids?
In difficult times, it is hard to
explain to your children what is
going on. Consider this: The truth
pendent.
Empower your family members
want to tell you some news. Today,
my job was eliminated. The compa-
If you have to move, you can tell
your children you don't have as
much money as you once did and
that you want to move to a more
Financial Security from Generation to Generation
affordable place together. Again,
emphasize that everything will be
122 CONCORD ROAD, SUITE 102 BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48304
fine.
For young children, you might
34
March 11 • 2010
cial crisis can present learning
opportunities for children. You can
language and short sentences. "I
you will need to cut back on some
things. Add that things will be fine.
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school, plan a nighttime activity to
take its place.
Despite the tough predicament,
losing a job or dealing with a finan-
use the adverse situation to teach
children coping skills and encour-
If your salary is reduced, explain
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keep it up. If you cannot stick to
old routines, start new ones. If you
are out in the morning looking for
work and cannot drive the kids to
is always the best option. If you are
married, tell your spouse first. Then
together tell the kids, using simple
that your job cannot pay as much
as it once did and, to save money,
GREENLEAF
TRUST
So how do you move
forward from here? Stick to rou-
Real life isn't so clean or simple,
but it is important to have a plan in
find new employment. It could take
a while, but you will be fine.
visit greenleaftrust.com .
that are reassuring, but
do not burden them with
too much information.
throughout the day. If you read a
book to your child before bedtime,
money."
Explain to the kids you didn't do
anything wrong and that you will
once. But every day thereafter, we earn it anew. If you would
Give simple but specif-
ic answers to questions
they want so they can keep what
they need.
ny eliminated many jobs, including
mine, because they needed to save
throughout Michigan. It requires trust, and we do ask for it
questions will help them
understand what is hap-
pening.
tines. Children and adults are
comforted knowing what to expect
What if you get fired? What if
advice, and maybe just room to grow. But what of trust—is that something
and again. Your patience,
persistence and consis-
tency in answering their
the theater and give up some things
place in case you lose your job or if
your financial situation worsens.
F or the kindhearted, giving comes naturally. Time, donations, friendship,
have to answer the
same questions again
age them to become more inde-
by giving everyone jobs to do to
help out. Young children can help
with the laundry, put away toys, put
napkins around the table before a
meal. Older children can prepare
meals and take on more household
responsibilities while you focus
on finding work and managing
finances.
Be a role model. Let your chil-
dren know how you are feeling, but
assure them you will all be okay.
When your children see you handle
this challenge by turning adversity
into opportunity, they will grow up
with confidence.
7
Robert Sher, CPA, is a certified executive
coach. He is former CFO for Schostak
Brothers & Co., Livonia. His e-mail
address is: info@bobsher.com .