Most families these days are having to make some cuts in tough times, but remember, what your child is most concerned about is how this is going to affect me or us. So sit down together and say, “Hey, we’re going to be having to make a little bit of cuts these days.” Most importantly ask your child what are some things that we could do together? The most amazing thing is when you ask your child for ideas they almost always come up with better suggestions than you could possible come up. “Oh, let’s turn off the lights, dad.” Or, “Let’s rent the movies and not go out to movies.” Or, “Let’s stop doing those take out dinners and let’s just eat at home.” What your child wants to be is empowered. He also wants to make sure that he feels secure. And most importantly, he needs to know that we all are going to get through this together. And you will if you are calm and cool. Because most of the time, it’s not what you say, but how you say it. Be calm, be cool and you all will get through this together.