Raising adults – 5 ways you can invest in your child’s future, today!

We all want what’s best for our children, and while it’s easy to become fixated on the here and now, as a parent, it’s vital that we take steps to preserve our children’s futures and give them the best start in life.

Read on for 5 ways you can invest in your child’s future, today!

 

Focus on their financial future

Investing in your child’s fiscal future will give them plenty of financial breathing room when they become adults. Consider opening your child a junior isa account. This simple tax efficient account allows you to deposit up to £9,000 each year before they turn 18. This gives you the opportunity to build them a healthy nest egg for when they’re old enough to access their account fully. This money could go towards their education, their first home, first car or the travel adventure they’ve been planning since they were young! Knowing your child has money set aside for them will not only make their adult life much easier but it will also give you peace of mind.

 

Teach them the importance of chores

Asking kids to do anything can feel like a mammoth task in itself. But even if you’re met with grumbles, groans and tantrums, you should persevere. Teaching your kids the importance of regular chores builds character and shows them that they have to pull their weight. Regular, age-appropriate chores teach your children responsibility and self-reliance and the importance of teamwork if they’re tasked with something to complete with their siblings.

 

Build on their social skills

Studies have shown that people who are more sociable and who possess good social skills have increased confidence and are ultimately, more successful in life. While career success may be a little way off, nurturing your child’s confidence can help them in school, in their friendship groups and in other socially demanding scenarios. You can help them build on their social skills by encouraging your child to ask more questions, to teach empathy and practice role-playing. Of course, it’s important to respect your child’s introversion and not push them too hard if they’re more reserved than their peers.

 

Help them get to know numbers

We’re told to regularly sit with our children whilst listening to them read, encouraging them from an early age to recognise letters, words and punctuation. While this is crucial for their development, sharing that focus with maths will also help them build confidence with numbers and learn not to be intimidated by them – something which can happen when they get to school. You don’t have to make them recite their times tables over and over again, but making mathematics fun and incorporating it into every day scenarios like when you’re at the shops, or you’re counting plates and cutlery at lunchtime is a great idea.

 

And finally, the importance of trying

None of us want to see our children struggle and fail. However if you want to invest in your child’s future and give them the best start in life, try to get them to understand the importance of trying. Let them know that failing doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s over but they can try again, learn and grow from their experiences.

Stewart Thurlow

Stewart Thurlow

I once shared a lift with Meryl Streep & Julianne Moore. Oh, & Victoria Beckham smiled at me. UK Editor for ADDICTED.
Stewart Thurlow

@stewartthurlow

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