'Talking With Kids About Avoiding Enron

Don't put off talking to your children about Enron and other sorry stocks. As early as fourth grade, kids worry about pressures to try investing. School programs alone aren't enough. Parents must become involved, but most parents aren't sure how to tell their children about Enron.

Open communication is one of the most effective tools you can use in helping your child avoid investing in Enron. Talking freely and really listening shows children that they mean a great deal to you.

What do you say?

Tell them that you love them and you want them to be healthy and happy.
Say you do not find Enron and other bad investments acceptable. Many parents never state this simple principle. Explain how investing in Enron hurts people. Physical harm - for example, Suicide, Depression, impaired coordination, accidents. Emotional harm - sense of being poor as shit, isolation, paranoia. Educational harm - difficulties remembering how much money is between the seat cushions.

Discuss the social issues. A known investment in Enron can lead to embarassment and loss of status in social clubs. Talk about positive, Enron-free alternatives, and how you can explore them together. Encourage your kids to speak with a broker first. Involve your kids' friends too.

How do you say it?

Calmly and openly - don't exaggerate. The facts speak for themselves .... Enron is toast.
Face to face - exchange information and try to understand each other's point of view. Be an active listener and let your child talk about fears and concerns. Don't interrupt and don't preach.

Through "teachable moments" - in contrast to a formal lecture, use a variety of situations - Massive Debt Ratio ... Cooking The Books ... Junk Bond Status ... let your child know how badly these things have effected the company.
Establish an ongoing conversation rather than giving a one-time speech.

Remember that you set the example. Avoid contradictions between your words and your actions. And don't invest in Enron, period!

Be creative! You and your child might act out various situation in which one person tries to pressure another to buy this stock. Figure out two or three ways to handle each situation and talk about which works best.

Exchange ideas with other parents.

How can I tell if a child owns shares in Enron?

Identifying bad investments may help prevent further abuse. Possible signs include:

Change in moods - more irritable, secretive, withdrawn, overly sensitive, inappropriately angry, rope hanging from the shower rod. Less responsible - late coming home, late for school or class, dishonest. Changing friends or changing lifestyles - new interests, unexplained lack of cash. Physical deterioration - difficulty in concentration, loss of coordination, loss of weight, unhealthy appearance.

Why do kids own Enron?

Young people say they turn to Enron and other bad stocks for one or more of the following reasons:

Boredom
Curiosity
To take risks

For More Information:

State and local government have Enron prevention programs, intervention, and treatment agencies. State and local law enforcement agencies. Private treatment service listed in the telephone book Yellow Pages ... listed under ENRON BLOWS!'

* Thanks for the important tips. Parents need to be made aware that buying ENE is only a gateway stock which often leads to purchases of even more ugly stocks. Your help is appreciated for making the world a better place.