Parents need to agree on core values so that children get a clear message about what their family stands for and against.
For father and Reddit user lost-my-mind-in-LA and his wife, a big part of that had been gender equality—or at least he thought so.
The man uploaded a candid confession to the platform, explaining that he was shocked to learn that she was teaching their teenage daughter to use her boyfriend as a personal ATM.
This father was fond of his daughter's boyfriend, and though he was a kind kid
Image credits: Edu Bastidas (not the actual photo)
But his wife saw him as an opportunity to teach the girl how to take advantage of boys financially
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
Image source: lost-my-mind-in-la
Many parents are worried about their children's financial future
The mother's actions might reflect a deeper worry. A survey from U.S. Bank found that nearly 1 in 4 parents and more than half of Gen X parents worry their children will be financially dependent on them well into adulthood.
However, the results also showed that mothers are less likely to discuss investing in stocks and bonds with their kids than fathers (35% of women vs. 51% of men).
And manipulating others into supporting you might not be the most lucrative career.
Most couples, however, agree on big money questions
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
An Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of BMO revealed that one in three (34%) partnered Americans view money as a source of conflict in their relationship.
More than one-third think their partner spends too much money on impulse purchases (37%) and/or admit they are untruthful about money with their spouse (36%).
But big fights over finances when you're already married and have kids are pretty rare. Despite the occasional argument, the vast majority (84%) of American couples are on the same page with their partner when it comes to finances, with almost nine in ten (87%) indicating that they are comfortable discussing finances with their partner, emphasizing open communication.
This might be because we tend to vet our potential partners pretty quickly. Four in five (79%) Americans think finances should be discussed somewhat early in the relationship – one in ten (9%) think this should happen after the first few dates, two in five (39%) when the relationship becomes official, and about one in three (31%) when the couple is planning on living together.
So it's interesting that our Redditor and his wife — who, at least according to him, see the world eye to eye — have gotten into such a deep disagreement.
However, instead of attaching derogatory labels to one another, the couple should try to understand each other and engage more than, say, the internet.
"Whether they face a sudden financial hiccup or experience issues related to intimacy, mentally strong couples address their problems head-on," psychotherapist Amy Morin, LCSW, writes.
"They engage in difficult conversations and confront their issues, regardless of the discomfort it might bring. By working together to find solutions early on, they prevent their problems from escalating."
People who read the father's story were just as appalled by his wife's behavior as he was
