The 2007-09 economic crisis in America dealt a deadly blow to the economy and left behind a trail of thousands of unemployed people. At the onset of the financial crisis, researchers establish important links between economic hardships and stress. They believed that financial stress gives rise to worse parenting.

Latest research conducted by researchers from New York University, suggest that the problems in parenting during times of crisis might be caused by change and uncertainty of the situation. The findings further revealed, “… an economic downturn in the larger community can adversely affect parenting – regardless of the conditions individual families face.” Analysis of previous research showed that people’s responses were greater to losses than to gains, which also promoted a change in their attitudes for the worse.

Expect your teenager to grill you for hours with constant questioning regarding the financial crisis. You should be prepared to answer most queries when the time arrives.

Understand first, explain later

Parents should be very careful about what information they want to give their children and how they want to do the explaining. It is always better to understand the issue first and then tell your children in simple words what needs to be told.

Beacon of hope

In the darkest of times, hope is the most powerful weapon that can be wielded by the human race for the simple purpose of survival. Tell your children that the rough patch will lead towards greener pastures; that tomorrow will be another day. Hearing comforting words will give the children a sense of security and the will to live through the bad times.

Drowning in a sea of information

Sensible parents will never talk about their financial woes in front of children because they would not want their kids to drown in a sea of complicated information that they don’t understand. Talk out your worries behind closed doors and away from the company of your children.

Setting the tone

Your words should be in tune with your tone when sharing crucial details of the crisis with a teenager. Use a matter-of-fact tone when explaining to your child that though the times are hard but his/her basic needs will be fulfilled. It is always better to give them a heads up so they can deal with the impending change.

Playing the money game

Creative parents can make fake currency notes on plain pieces of paper and involve their children in a game of money management. Give each child a fixed amount and ask them to make a budget according to the financial charts provided by you. There can be no better way to teach your children the value of money while helping them understand different money management techniques.

Harsh parenting research

Research conducted on attitudes during economic crisis show that economic downturn was linked to surfacing of harsher parenting techniques only in mothers due to variation in a gene called DRD2 Taq1A. This gene controls the production of dopamine which is a behavior-regulating chemical found in the brain. Though dopamine is recognized famously as a feel good chemical, but the neurotransmitter is also believed to regulate tension in the body. Fathers can step in these situations and bail the children out from pointless beating while also providing a comforting shoulder to his woman.