Fair enough, I guess I could have imagined arguments... I just don't feel they are very good ones. Your kids are your family, they are going to pick up on any shame and embarrassment you feel, and hiding the details isn't going to make them not see that in you. Explaining the actual situation might actually make them feel better, rather than their own guesses as to why their parents are ashamed and embarrassed.

Same with shielding your children from difficulties; they are going to sense things, and their imagination will be worse than the reality. Tell them your problems, but do so in a way that conveys your confidence that you can overcome them. You are teaching them about life, which is really just a series of difficulties that you overcome.

Not sure I agree. When I was a child I knew my family was struggling, but had I actually been burdened with knowing how far behind we were on paying for housing etc I might have had a nervous break down. There is some information that may be to heavy for a kid

I thank my parents for shielding me from the dollars we didnt have. Only know looking back do I realize how tight times must have been. Sharing that yoke with the children would have hurt all of us a little.

Yeah, I guess I wasn't thinking about people who are really struggling. There might be a point where it is bad enough that it would be too heavy for a kid.