6 PRINCIPLES OF RAISING CHILDREN FROM A MILLIONAIRE MOM
Deni Johnson grew up in a poor family, gave birth to a child at 17, became homeless at 21, and earned her first million at 23. In March, the successful businesswoman, mother of five children and grandmother to several grandchildren, visited Riga and spoke about her principles of raising children during a seminar.
"I travel to different countries to make parents think and not make the mistakes that parents in the United States have made for decades. Our children are a new generation that is almost lost. Because they are used to getting everything they want as children, and when they become adults, they just sit on welfare," Johnson said.
Rich people have a clear vision of what their children should aim for. Yes, they raise future Harvard graduates, future top managers, future doctors or presidents. Meanwhile, the average person gives birth to and raises children with the thought: what if I get lucky?
"In a family of friends of mine who own a publishing house, the son did not want to study and did not know what to do with his life. Then the father made a radical decision and sent him to work for a week in a homeless shelter, without any funds. A week later, the teenager returned with a great desire to study and participate in the family business," says Johnson.
What is a "normal" kid's best friend? Most likely, a TV, a computer, and a cell phone. Deni Johnson's kids got their first phones at 16, their first computer was their dad's old computer, and there is no TV in the house.
"My children can't afford a mobile phone because they don't earn anything. A mobile phone teaches a person not to organize and plan their time, and TV shows the wrong models of life. What do you learn from the cartoon about SpongeBob? A lazy, dissolute, nihilistic man rejoices about how he fooled others. Would you like your sons to grow up to be such men? Would you like such husbands for your daughters? If you don't watch TV for 30 days, you can get rid of this addiction," Johnson believes.
The weekend is approaching, and what do the children hear? Thank God it's Friday; I can take a break from THIS job; my boss is a pig; my subordinates don't listen, and work in general is annoying. This attitude teaches a person from childhood that work is bad, hard and unpleasant. Children who are trained like this will not want to work or start their own business, believes Deni Johnson.
In her family, children start doing simple housework as early as two years old, and by the age of 11, their contribution is already quite substantial. “That’s how they pay for their room and board in our house. Nothing in life is free,” Johnson believes. She doesn’t use a cook, maid or nanny – the family handles all the housework themselves.
At the same time, it is necessary for the child to be able to do work that he does not like or makes him tense up - because this develops character and willpower. If you only do what you like, it will not bring any additional benefit to the person.
"I give my child $50 a year for shoes and buy four pairs of jeans. You can't buy any luxury shoes for that kind of money, but if you want them, either go and earn them or wait for a sale!" says Johnson, noting that the child should be provided with the bare necessities, but he should realize his own special fantasies and desires.
"The worst thing parents can do is to earn money to give their children what they themselves lacked in childhood. When children grow up, they find themselves in a world where they can no longer afford to live the way they are used to," the businesswoman notes.
There are only two options when it comes to spending money: buy unnecessary things (and provide a good education and travel for the children of those businessmen who sell these things), or teach children that money can be saved, earned and invested. “How do you motivate a child not to spend money where it is not necessary? We have a rule in our house: save up 10 dollars, and I will give you another 10. When the amount is collected, you can only buy things that allow you to grow and develop: a bicycle, a musical instrument, a trip,” says Johnson. And do not buy what others buy! As a rule, these are unnecessary things that only take up space.
Most successful people are distinguished by their emotional and material generosity. They are not envious and very generous. Teach your child respect, Johnson urges. It is no coincidence that the Bible says that 10% should be donated: the children in her family also give 10% from every dollar they earn to orphans. 20% is left for rest and entertainment, and the rest goes into the piggy bank. For the future and the implementation of ideas.
