Traditions with Heart- Raising Grateful Kids on Valentine’s Day and Beyond
In this heartwarming episode of It’s Not About Money, Matt and Charla explore the power of intentional family traditions and how they can shape kids' values, foster gratitude, and create lasting memories. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Charla shares some of the creative traditions she established with her children and why saying "no" on ordinary days is an important part of raising financially mindful and grateful kids.

Key Topics Covered:

- The Importance of Waiting: Charla explains why it’s critical for kids to distinguish between "ordinary" and "special" days. She shares her strategy of saying "no" to impulse buys and how it taught her children patience, gratitude, and the value of waiting for special moments.

- Honest Conversations About Money: Instead of telling kids, “We can’t afford it,” Charla recommends framing financial choices as intentional decisions about where to allocate resources. This approach helps kids understand priorities and builds trust.

- The Power of Family Traditions: Matt and Charla discuss the Valentine’s Trail—a unique family tradition involving handmade heart confetti, small gifts, and a big surprise at the end. Charla reflects on how these meaningful celebrations taught her kids to appreciate special days without fostering entitlement.

- Managing Expectations: Charla and Matt highlight the pitfalls of overindulging kids and how extravagant celebrations can backfire by creating unrealistic expectations. Instead, they advocate for thoughtful, balanced traditions that keep kids grounded and grateful.

- Parenting with Intentionality: Charla shares practical advice for parents on creating traditions, resisting the temptation to give in to every request, and fostering long-term values like gratitude and patience.

Call to Action: 

* Reflect: What family traditions do you currently have, and how do they teach your kids about gratitude and patience?
* Discuss: Sit down with your kids and explain why it’s important to save special treats or gifts for milestone days rather than giving them out regularly.
* Try It: Choose a milestone or holiday to celebrate with a new family tradition. Keep it simple but meaningful.

Connect With Us:

- Read more about this topic and other discussions on Charla’s blog: [https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog](https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog)

- Subscribe to the weekly email with links to our podcast and blog: [https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1](https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/subscribe-1)

- Learn more about our unique products designed to enhance your children’s understanding of real-world money management: [https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/](https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/)