One of the important ways that parents can cope with all types of stressful situations including issues related to the Sept 11 Anniversary is seeking help from others. ParentLink at the University of Missouri provides a warmline that is answered by professionals who are willing to talk through stressful issues: http://extension.missouri.edu/parentlink/. ParentLink can also help parents deal with issues related to discipline, sexuality, special health needs and much more. You can reach ParentLink by calling 1-800-552-8522 (M-F, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) or by sending email to mailto:parentlink@missouri.edu

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Feature Article - What is Your Child’s Financial Personality Type?

Answer yes or no to each of the following:

1. If you give your child money, does he or she save it?

2. Does your child lose or misplace money often?

3. Do you often hear the words “I want, I want” when you go shopping with your youngster?

4.  If you ask your young one, “Why do you want this?” does he or she often say, “Because Johnny has one” or “I saw it on TV?”

5. Is your child reluctant to spend any of his or her own money?

6. Does your child get exceptional pleasure in seeing a bank account grow?

7. If your child sees a penny on the ground, will he go out of his way to pick it up?

8. Does your child decide to save for a special toy, and then later choose not to buy the toy?

9. If you say no to the suggestion of stopping for ice cream or pizza, does your child ask, “Can we if I pay for it?”

10. When you travel, does your youngster want to bring presents back for all her friends? 

Yes answers to questions 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 indicate you have a saver on your hands. A yes answer to questions 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 show you have a full-fledged spender in the family. Which of the two personality types is your child?

Reaching adulthood with the insight and incentive to be a good money manager does not just happen. It takes a commitment on the part of parents. Start early to teach children about money. Encourage them to budget. Set a good example for your children. If you earn, spend and save wisely, your children are more likely to be ‘money smart’ also.

Featured Web Sites -

The Jump $tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy - Financial smarts for students.

Kids and Money - a newsletter for young people and their parents.

Wise Pockets is for children in grades three to six. This appealing site shows kids, parents and teachers how to learn about managing money.

Moneyopolis is a web site to help middle school financiers appreciate how much they must save to reach a goal, such as buying a CD. 

Missouri Families http://www.missourifamilies.org provides quick answers to common questions about parenting, aging, divorce, child care, adolescents and many other topics. Sign up today for the free eNewsletter!

Several programs are available about youth and family development, 
such as:

• Parent Programs
  - Personal stress management
  - Understanding children
  - How to help children learn

• Child Care Programs
  - Selecting quality child care
  - Child Care Providers Training

• Life Times newsletter - a bimonthly publication for individuals, families and communities

• Nutrition Programs
  - Glo Germ handwashing lesson
  - Safe food preservation
  - Dining with Diabetes
  - Health promotion
  - Wise Ways news column
  - Herbal therapies
  - Safe food handling for the occasional quantity cook
  - Update on canning and freezing
  - Eating well for health

• Balancing Work and Family

• Building Strong Families - an interactive multi-session program for working families with children.  Sign up for a class today. 

• H.O.M.E.: First Time Home Buyers Seminar

• HomeWorks: Maintaining Your Housing Investment

• Money Action Plan - seven-modules on the basic practices and skills important to sound family financial management

• Other programs may be available about aging issues, stress management, self esteem, leadership development, coping with grief/loss, family finance, goal setting, housing, household hazardous waste, consumer education, family violence, indoor air quality, health care, and more. 

To learn of more programs and information available contact the following specialists:

University of Missouri Extension
Warren County
WarrenCo@missouri.edu
Last Revised:  01/11/06