Teen Life Lessons - The Checkbook

Some people don't believe that you should give details on your financial life to your kids. I think it depends. My kids don't know everything about my savings, debts, etc., but they know we have to watch our pennies, that I'm trying to stick to a grocery budget, etc. The last few months, DD has been helping me balance my checkbook. I don't mind doing it, but I find it depressing! So I have been giving her the account summary and letting her go through and check things off, adding and subtracting, and she enjoys it. The summary for August should be ready any day now, so this month I'm going to teach her how to actually balance the checkbook, to make sure I have what the bank says I have! She will need to learn this someday, and if she is enjoying it right now, it's a good time to do it. Eventually I will have to teach DS too, but as long as DD is interested and having fun with it, I'll be happy to start with her.