The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money

by Ron Lieber

Two years ago, their parents tried an experiment that many of us might want to emulate if we have the guts: They removed all of those time limits. The idea was that it was probably best for the boys to learn to regulate themselves while still under their parents’ watchful eyes and that these self-regulatory skills would help them with budgeting of all sorts, including money. “You should have seen the looks on their faces when we decided this,” Kasser recalled. Still, the boys knew the experiment would end if things got out of hand, so they set a timer themselves. Today, they no longer use it but still limit their game playing to that same 45 minutes give or take. “One of the best moments of my life as a parent was when my older son and I were sitting in the living room, and he thanked me for putting limits on his playing because so many of his friends were addicted to video games,” he said.