Giving lucky money in the wrong way can have a negative impact on children's psychology.

Giving lucky money to children on the first day of the year is a Vietnamese culture during the Lunar New Year. However, psychologists warn that giving lucky money in the wrong way can have a negative impact on children's psychology.

Giving lucky money to children on the first day of the year is a Vietnamese culture during the Lunar New Year - Illustration photo

Parents are embarrassed because children dislike lucky money

Having a young child, before each Tet holiday, Ms. Hoa (40 years old, living in Hanoi) always tells her child not to open lucky money in front of guests when receiving lucky money from adults, and not to complain or worry if the amount of lucky money is small.

She explained to her child the meaning of giving lucky money at the beginning of the year, which is a lucky gift that adults send to their children along with wishes for a peaceful new year.

Ms. Hoa said she teaches her children like that because in the past she had many times encountered situations where she was both "half-crying and half-laughing" because her children complained that the lucky money was too little.

"I remember that day, the little boy followed his parents to wish them a happy new year. I took out a red envelope and wished him a good new year, good study and good luck.

When he received the lucky money envelope, instead of thanking everyone, he opened it right in front of everyone. Seeing that there was only a 10,000 VND bill inside, the boy pouted and grimaced: "Why is it so little, teacher? What a boring lucky money envelope", Ms. Hoa recounted.

At that time, Ms. Hoa did not know what to say and just laughed it off. What was more, at that time, the child's parents did not advise the child but were engrossed in talking to the adults in the house.

"Therefore, since I had a child, every time before Tet, I remind my child to be polite when receiving lucky money from adults. Every year when my child grows up, he will have different perceptions about money. Therefore, reminding him every year and educating him every year like this will create good habits for him," Ms. Hoa confided.

Giving lucky money incorrectly can cause children to form bad habits.

In fact, today, with the impact of the market economy, if adults do not give lucky money properly, it can affect children's psychology.

According to psychologist Nguyen Hong Bach (Dr MP Clinical Psychology Center, Hanoi), nowadays many adults use lucky money to repay partners and relationships in society. In addition, some parents have ways of giving lucky money and questions that show a materialistic mentality.

For example, many parents often ask their children how much lucky money others give them so that the parents can "pay" them back accordingly.

According to Dr. Bach, this will unintentionally cause children to focus on material things and learn to calculate.

"When children have a distorted perception of material things, comparisons can occur. Children will have a certain mentality of comparison and jealousy when adults discriminate in the way they give lucky money," said Dr. Hong Bach.

The psychologist warned that when a child puts too much value on material things and goes in the wrong direction, this will change the child’s personality. That child will become selfish, think only of himself, and even be ready to fight.

"If we want to change the story of giving lucky money that is too materialistic, adults themselves have to change," said Dr. Bach.

In summary, psychologist Hong Bach advises adults to:

- Avoid exposing your child to material things too early. Instead of money, give gifts, such as books or toys.

- For older children, parents need to define the right material values ​​for their children. When parents do not emphasize material values, children will not have comparisons or jealousy...

Besides, parents should educate their children about the meaning of Tet lucky money, so that they understand that it is not just material, but also contains long-standing cultural meaning.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/li-xi-sai-cach-co-the-anh-huong-xau-den-tam-ly-tre-nho-20250124103323077.htm