How can you talk to your children about money without taboos?

Talking about money in the family: a real challenge?

In many families, money remains a delicate subject, even avoided altogether. Yet tackling this subject early on with your children can make all the difference to their understanding of the world. Teaching them how to manage a budget, understand the value of things and know how to make choices are essential foundations. And it all starts with an honest, age-appropriate discussion... without embarrassment or taboos.

Why money shouldn't be a sensitive subject at home

Children are curious. They hear about bills, salaries and prices, but they don't always understand what's involved. Not talking about it, or remaining vague, can create confusion, or worse, anxiety. Conversely, including children in simple discussions about the family budget, purchases or savings offers them real emotional security. It helps them understand that money is a tool, not a forbidden subject.

Adapting your speech to your age and maturity

Of course, it's out of the question to detail your pay slip or credit repayments to a 6-year-old. But it is possible to explain that a toy costs money, that this money comes from work, and that he can't have everything right away.

The more they grow, the more you can refine your pitch:

-Between ages 6 and 10: introduce the notions of choice, spending and saving with concrete examples (their piggy bank, a joint purchase, a project to finance).

-From age 11-12: you can talk about budgets, priorities and even mistakes to avoid. The aim is to give them the right reflexes before they become completely autonomous.

Making money a normal subject... and a positive one

Money doesn't have to be associated with constant stress or a feeling of lack. It can also be the fruit of projects, sharing, or even generosity. You can, for example:

Let your child take part in a family purchase (choosing a gift, calculating a joint budget, etc.).

Explain your trade-offs ("we chose not to buy this to save for the vacations").

Set up pocket-money management with clear but flexible rules.

Talking about money also means listening. Ask him what he thinks about prices, what he'd like to buy, how he could save money. These exchanges are invaluable in empowering him to make his own choices.

Tools to support discussion

Sometimes, all it takes is a little help to get the conversation going. Apps like Bloon, for example, enable children to visualize their spending, set savings targets and understand how to manage a budget, all under the guidance of their parents.

With this kind of tool, money becomes concrete, visual and understandable. And above all, it becomes part of everyday life in a healthy, educational way.

In a nutshell

Talking to your child about money doesn't mean transferring adult worries to him or her. On the contrary, it's about helping them to grow up with the right reference points, to feel capable of understanding and taking action. There's no need for long speeches: simple, regular, age-appropriate exchanges are all it takes to develop a real financial culture... one that's both caring and useful.