Collecting With Your Children

I needed a post like this!

You are of course correct, ContraJame, but I believe that you should switch priorities:
Number One should be bonding!
Number Two should be appreciation of the collection.

Here is why:

omahaorange writes that her granddaughter "helps" her.
Be it making a pie or stapling coins into 2X2s, this is the kind of memory that lasts a lifetime.
"I remember helping grandma."

DM1975 writes that his son learns about each coin that goes into an album.
"My father taught me about the States as we collected the quarters."

And gillie writes:
"Both girls. They both love shiny things ..."
Now THAT was the key to getting my sister interested in learning about what I collect. She loves jewelry.
When she said, upon examining a recent acquisition, "It is very pretty and I can understand why you wanted it.", I knew that she had finally gained an appreciation of the collection.

I am 60 and my sister is 58. We have neither children nor grandchildren. My memories were made long ago, in my parents' bedroom, as my dad spread out his collection on the bed and allowed me to look.
So maybe my opinion means little.

BUT, ContraJame, this topic cannot be posted too often.
It is THAT important.

matthewvincent: I completely agree about the priorities. I was simply stating that everyone has different goals in mind. My grandparent's goals were obvious. Since I'm not a father (yet) I haven't had to make the decision, but I'm sure you know what decision I'll make when the time comes. :) Your opinion and reasoning behind that opinion really support the impact this hobby can have.

Allow me to add something here. My kid, now 12, loves to attend the coins shows with me. He does have a penny collection, and some coins with animals on them, but it is the action on the floor, the buying and selling, looking at all the coins (especially gold and silver) that gives him a thrill. We haven't been for awhile and he just said to me the other day "I miss going to coin shows."

With me it all went the other way. Of course there are memories of attempting to get my kids intersted in coins but for some reason, just never did work that way. Wife too has no interest in coins. Same with all her family, no interest. Now my Son is married and has a kid. His wife's family too has no interest in coins. That daughter will grow up with also no interest in coins since he and his wife could care less.
So it sort of runs in those early attempts at least for many. Oddly enough some collectors I've met gained interest much later in life and had no family background in coins. You just never know.

Hint, hint! I patiently await the time when my son is interested in coin shows.


I think her grandfather should be able to help. I sure he has a Whitman album or ten to share with her.

My son and I are most definitely bonding over the Legos now.

that's a nice story ... well done upstate