For those of you who can’t see the image above: https://stephaniesarkis.com/wp/?attachment_id=688
My dad recently found this gem – a check I wrote when I was 6 years old. I figured hey, I watch my parents write checks, so obviously when you write a check, you get instant money!!
I like how I added “Stephanie” next to my parents’ names – in case Kaybee Toys asked to see my ID.
And $2.85?? Even in 1981 you couldn’t buy a lot of toys for that! But to a kid, $2.85 is like a million bucks. Regardless, I should have left the decimal out. More toys.
And I even used the memo line! Not exactly the right way, but whatever. It was my first check.
On a more serious note, this goes along with the part of “ADD and Your Money” where we write that your relationship with money when you were a kid has a big impact on your relationship with money as an adult. As you can see, my parents were open about writing checks and paying bills – the way I filled out that check is pretty good for a 6-year-old! My parents also took me to the bank when I was 6 years old so I could open my own savings account. I even remember the bank – North Shore Bank on North Ave. It was so cool to have my own account.
The things that my parents never shared with us were a) How much money either of them made or b) How much money was in their accounts. Which, in my opinion, kids don’t need to know anyway. So I think they did a great job teaching us about money.
This also shows how precociously intelligent and self-confident young kids with ADHD can be!