Financial Therapy for Family

“Balancing Financial Perspectives”

I am the mother of two kids and started financial therapy due to their differing approaches to money. My 11-year-old daughter has a long-term perspective, preferring to save and plan ahead. In contrast, my 8-year-old son has a short-term focus, enjoying the moment and spending more freely. I initially tried to make my son follow his sister’s saving habits because I was concerned about his future. However, through financial therapy, I realized that I was projecting my own mother’s behaviors onto him—essentially, I was acting like my mother with my son.

My husband and I began by attending couples therapy sessions but soon shifted to family therapy. During these sessions, I came to understand that I struggled to accept my son’s natural personality because I wanted him to have a secure life. I learned that financial literacy should be tailored to each child’s unique personality.

After eight months of practice, I see positive changes. When we go to the cinema, my son cleverly calculates how to maximize his spending on snacks, while my daughter prefers to save half of her money. Teaching our kids to master their finances according to their individual attitudes—whether short-term or long-term—helps them live fulfilling lives while pursuing their passions. For me, these therapy sessions are as crucial as their schooling.