Parents, Let’s Talk Money: Because Your Teen Is Already Learning from You –

 by Lesley Thomas

You’re the kind of woman who gets things done. You’ve built a life that others might admire, a business, a career, a household that runs (most of the time) and a level of financial comfort that’s been hard-earned.

But here’s the question most women like you aren’t being asked…What is your teen learning about money by watching you? Because whether you realise it or not, they are watching.

They’re listening when you mutter under your breath at the supermarket. They’re noticing when you say, “We can’t afford that,” with a tone that says more than just pounds and pence, dollars and cents. 

They’re absorbing every story, every stress, every silence and every swipe of your card. And that’s where legacy begins, not with what you leave for them, but what you pass through them.

The Unspoken Lessons at Home

We’re so focused on giving our teens a good education, but we forget the most powerful lessons are taught at home.

And when it comes to money, the silence can be deafening. You might think, “They’ll figure it out like I did.” But did you really figure it out, or did you just learn how to survive money instead of thrive with it?

This isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness. Because when you don’t actively talk about money, your teen doesn’t walk into adulthood with a clean slate.

They inherit your patterns. Your beliefs. Your fears.The Invisible Script You’re Handing Down. Let’s get real. If you feel guilty about spending on yourself If you avoid checking your bank balance If you undercharge in your business because you don’t feel “ready” If you grew up with feast-and-famine cycles and still find it hard to feel safe with money

You’re not alone.

But these aren’t just your issues anymore, they’re becoming your teen’s. Whether it’s a daughter who’s already apologising for wanting things. Or a son who believes success means pressure and burnout. These are money stories in the making and you’re the author.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

Today’s teens are growing up in a world where, financial content is served via TikTok, not textbooks. Buy Now Pay Later is normalised before budgeting is taught. Anxiety around money, status and future-proofing is rampant. They don’t just need practical money skills, they need emotional literacy around money.

They need to understand self-worth, delayed gratification, boundaries, and belief. And who better to teach that than you? Not because you’re perfect. But because you’re present. Because you’re willing to go first.

Changing the Pattern Starts With You

You might be thinking, “But I don’t feel confident enough with my own money to teach someone else.” That’s exactly the point. Confidence isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you build. And the most powerful way to build it is to invite your teen along the journey. You don’t need to have all the answers. 

You just need to be honest, open, and willing to learn together. Say things like, 

• “I’ve realised I want to do things differently with money, for me and for you.”
• “Let’s talk about what I didn’t learn at your age.”
• “I’m still figuring things out, but I want you to feel confident with money.”

That’s leadership. That’s legacy. And that’s how cycles shift.

The Real Impact of Money Confidence

When a parent develops money confidence, everything changes. Not just the numbers in the bank account, but the energy in the household. A financially confident woman isn’t reckless. She’s resourceful. She doesn’t need to have it all figured out, she just knows she can figure it out.

She doesn’t avoid the awkward conversations, she starts them, with courage and compassion. She doesn’t mask guilt as generosity, she models clarity, boundaries, and value. And most of all, she passes down a different kind of inheritance, one rooted in worth, not worry.

The Conversation Starts With You

This is not about becoming a financial expert overnight.It’s about becoming intentional with what you already know, feel, and show, especially around your teen. Ask yourself:

• What messages did I receive about money growing up?
• Which ones am I unconsciously passing on to my teen?
• What would I love my teen to believe about money, success and self-trust?
• When you shift your answers to those questions, you shift your teen’s future.

Because the fact is, teens don’t need perfect parents. They need present ones. Ones who are willing to say, “Let’s figure this out together.” Ones who are ready to stop the silence. Break the cycle. And model what it looks like to live, lead, and love with financial confidence.

You are your teen’s first money teacher. So let’s talk money and make it a conversation that changes everything.

Lesley Thomas is the founder of The Money Confidence Academy and host of the Let’s Talk Money and More podcast.

For more information visit, www.themoneyconfidenceacdemy.com, to find out more about Lesley, her coaching and resources. Or connect with her on LinkedIn 

Tune into the ‘Let’s Talk Money and more’ podcast, to hear from Lesley and her guests, talking everything money, mindset and financial growth.