Like every other topic under the sun, the Internet is a gold mine for educational resources. There are resources to help parents teach their children about money like About.com's Kids & Money site. Your child can also use the Internet to research whatever money or investment topic interests them. A wealth of Web sites devoted to financial literacy — making learning about money fun — is available at your fingertips. Two of the best include:

• The American Bankers Association's Web site has a “Teach Children to Save” section that provides educational ideas, calculators, budgeting forms, credit card debt calculation, and guidelines for what's appropriate at what age.

• ING Direct's Web site uses cartoon guides to teach fourth- to eighth-grade kids about money, investing, and saving. It's colorful, fun, interactive, and very informative.

Your children need you for many things, and teaching them about money ranks high on the list. You wouldn't dream of crippling your children, but keeping them in fantasy land when it comes to money, investments, budgets, goals, and dream fulfillment does just that. Arm them instead with knowledge, positive role modeling, discipline, and guidance.

If you love your children and want them to succeed in life, teach them that when it comes to generating, growing, and maximizing personal finance, responsibility and realistic expectations lead to wealth. Irresponsibility and unrealistic behaviors lead to bankruptcy.