If you’re a successful business owner, medical or legal professional, or a high-earning executive, chances are your kids will eventually realize that your family is financially well-off. Whether it’s noticing differences between their lifestyle and their peers’ or overhearing a conversation, kids are more perceptive than we sometimes give them credit for.

So the question becomes: Will you wait for them to figure it out, or will you help guide the conversation before they draw their own conclusions?

Talking to your children about wealth isn’t easy—but avoiding the conversation can leave them unprepared and overwhelmed when the time comes. Here are some tips to help you start the discussion with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Start With Your Values

Family wealth can be a tool or a trap—it depends on how it’s framed. Some children grow up grounded and generous, while others may become entitled or overly reliant on family money. One key difference? The values they were taught at home.

Before discussing specific dollar amounts or expectations, have a conversation with your partner or co-parent about what money means to you as a family. Ask yourselves:

• Do we want our children to value hard work and independence?
• How do we want them to view charitable giving or community involvement?
• What kind of financial behaviors do we want to model ourselves?

Kids watch more than they listen. Demonstrating discipline, generosity, and thoughtful decision-making with money can set the stage long before the conversation even begins.

Be Honest—But Age-Appropriate

It’s completely normal to feel awkward about discussing wealth. Many parents do. In fact, a national survey by BECU found that only 28% of parents talk to their kids about money—and nearly half said fear was the reason they avoided the topic.

But the longer you delay the conversation, the harder it can be to make it meaningful. Children begin noticing economic differences early, whether it’s the types of vacations their friends take or the cars their parents drive. By staying silent, you risk creating confusion—or worse, allowing others (friends, media, or social media) to shape their understanding of wealth.

You don’t have to share everything all at once. Tailor the conversation to your child’s age and maturity level, and plan to revisit the topic over time. Think of it as an evolving dialogue—not a one-time reveal.

Set Clear Expectations

Once the topic is out in the open, be prepared to talk about what wealth does—and doesn’t—mean for your children personally. After all, knowing the family is wealthy could lead them to expect financial support at every turn.

To prevent misunderstandings, talk about:

• Educational support: Will you fully fund college or ask them to contribute through work or scholarships?
• Lifestyle choices: Will you help them with a car, a first home, or big life events?
• Financial responsibility: What expenses are theirs to manage, and what will you cover—if anything?

Inheritance is another important area to address. While you don’t need to get into estate planning specifics right away, it’s helpful to explain how you’re thinking about fairness, responsibilities, and sentimental items. If children don’t understand your reasoning, they may view your decisions as arbitrary or unfair later on.

Teach the Difference Between Opportunity and Entitlement

Wealth can open doors, but it doesn’t have to lead to extravagance. One of the most valuable lessons you can pass on is that money is a resource—a tool to pursue meaningful goals, support causes, and build security, not just fuel consumption.

Ask your kids questions like:

• “What does having money mean to you?”
• “What would you do if you had $100 today?”
• “How do you decide when something is worth saving for?”

Encourage them to set both short- and long-term financial goals. Help them understand the value of delayed gratification by saving for something meaningful, not just spending freely.

A part-time job, even during high school or college, can also make a huge difference. It builds confidence, helps them understand the effort behind earning a dollar, and often makes them more thoughtful about how they spend it.

Lead By Example

As you navigate these conversations, remember that your actions are just as powerful as your words. Whether you openly talk about charitable giving, budgeting, or your own financial mistakes, sharing your experience helps build trust and financial literacy.

You don’t have to have all the answers. And you don’t have to map out every detail today. The goal is to create an ongoing, honest relationship with your children around money—one grounded in your family’s values, goals, and purpose.

Final Thoughts: It’s About More Than Money

At the end of the day, talking to your kids about your wealth isn’t really about the dollars—it’s about preparing them to handle responsibility, navigate complex decisions, and grow into thoughtful, independent adults.

If you’re unsure where to begin, or you’d like help creating a family financial plan that reflects your goals and values, Navalign Wealth Partners is here to help. We work with families to create wealth strategies that support both financial success and strong family relationships.