The first “do” for parents of affluent children is “don’t” separate wealth education from the difficult task of raising well-adjusted human beings in the rarified environment of substantial wealth. According to the journal Child Development, children of the very affluent are often isolated, lonely and more at risk for dangerous behavior, primarily because of “excessive pressures to achieve and isolation from parents, both literal and emotional.”

So, if you are a loving yet time-starved parent who has worked hard and provided the best you can for your children, how do you teach your kids about balancing values and money? The short answer is: not easily. But start by recognizing some actionable “do’s” and “don’ts” of parenting and wealth education.

DO articulate a set of values that align with your family’s culture, needs and priorities. Children (and parents) who understand and support a sound set of values are better equipped to face the difficult pressures and decisions they will face.

DO make a deliberate effort to educate your children (and yourself) on practical topics surrounding financial education. A recent statistic shows a mere 11 percent of wealthy families are able to break the cycle of wealth dissipation after three generations (“shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations”). Families that recognize the importance of holistic wealth education are better equipped to break this cycle and to successfully raise self-sufficient generations.

DON’T assume your children are obtaining or retaining practical financial skills from school. This inescapable burden is on parents, grandparents, close friends and mentors carefully selected to be involved in a child’s life.

DO replicate for your children some of the obstacles you had to overcome to achieve your success. For example, it is said that Peter Buffett, son of Warren, was loaned the down payment for his first car by his parents and was expected to make the payments and repay the down payment. Denying your children the struggles that are a natural part of learning may handicap them in their growth.

DON’T presume that material substitutes will fill the void if you are not able to be with your kids. When parents involved in a study of families with a net worth of over $10 million were asked if they had given more time or material possessions to their kids in the last six months, 63 percent answered “more possessions,” and just 11 percent said “more time.” Without question, time counts.

DON’T expect every child to respond to wealth education the same way. Understand their natural tendencies, and find individualized ways to encourage good judgment and financial self-reliance. A personal example: I gave each of my two daughters a budget for school clothes this fall. One overspent her budget and expected me to make up the difference. The other un-derspent and asked that the difference be put in her (YES!) savings account.

DO lead by example. If you buy another extravagant car/computer/condo you clearly do not need but just “want,” how can you expect your daughter not to demand another sweater/cell phone/car she does not need but just wants?

DON’T treat wealth education like a one-time corporate training seminar. Stay alert to “teachable moments.” Wage instructive warfare by being vigilant and looking for every opening to teach. In short, be an engaged parent.

DO instill in your children the idea that they should be grateful, as you are, that you have been blessed with good fortune. While the accumulation of wealth requires hard work, business acumen and good judgment, let them know there is an element of luck in it as well.

Threshold Group is a Registered Investment Adviser. Investment advice can be provided only after the delivery of Threshold Group’s brochure and brochure supplement (Form ADV Part 2A&B) and once a properly executed investment advisory agreement has been entered into by the client and Threshold Group.