Money doesn't grow on trees or my back: A mother's lesson on financial literacy

THERE I was, minding my own business, music playing softly in the background while I tried to catch a moment of peace -when I felt a little tug at my leg.

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"Mommy," he says sweetly, "can I please have R20 for school tomor-row?"

A R20?

My eyebrows nearly leapt off my face.

"Yes, Mommy," he continues without missing a beat. "I need money to pay for civvies day. And also... tuck shop money."

Right. Of course. Civvies and tuck money. Naturally.

Now, I get it. We were all kids once, and this little conversation instantly transported me back to my own childhood — to the sound of my own mommy's voice echoing in my ears: "Do you think money grow on trees? Or on my back?"

Honestly, I felt that.