Coins on the Counter

She lined the coins along the kitchen counter, counting slowly, carefully. Financial stress has been shown to affect emotional well-being and family relationships, particularly when resources are limited (American Psychological Association).

Open acknowledgment of money challenges within families can reduce shame and improve cooperative problem-solving (Conger et al. 695). No one laughed. No one judged. They counted together, accepting the moment for what it was. Motivation did not come from having more. It came from facing reality together.

Works Cited (MLA)

American Psychological Association. Stress in America: Paying with Our Health. APA, 2023.
Conger, Rand D., et al. “Economic Stress, Coercive Family Process, and Developmental Problems of Adolescents.” Child Development, vol. 63, no. 2, 1992, pp. 526–541.