The best thing you can do as a parent to help your child build good credit is to talk with them about what credit is and how to use it responsibly. Of course, helping them actually build credit is great too. For any parent interested in helping a child establish their own credit profile and begin building a good credit history, there are ways to do this responsibly, and, most importantly, legally. Many card issuers allow minors to be added to an adult’s credit card account as an authorized user. Call customer service to find out if your card issuer allows for this, as most companies don’t detail it in their terms and conditions. Some credit card companies have a minimum age for authorized users, while others have no age restrictions at all. Regardless, it’s still on you to ensure they are responsible in their use of credit. Remember, they can spend, but you have to pay. You can also try to take advantage of teachable moments around credit card use to reinforce lessons of responsible spending. The interesting thing about credit is that it follows you around wherever you go. Your credit profile and history of financial dealings is indelibly linked to your name and Social Security number.