Skip the jewelry—what mom really wants for Mother's Day is for you to learn to manage your money.

Mothers are more worried about the financial future of their kids rather than what they will get for Mother's Day, according to a new survey. More moms are worried that their kids don't know enough about their finances or the economy to be ready for adulthood, a McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union survey found.

Some 300 mothers were surveyed and just one-third of them said they believe their children under the age of 18 are well prepared for college, the workforce and managing their finances in the future. The other two-thirds are less sure about the future prospects of their own flesh and blood.

Nearly half of moms believe that their children are unprepared to get a job.

About 44 percent of respondents believe their children will not be able to finance college.

One-third of those surveyed think their children are not at all prepared to save or live on their own.

This could be due to the lack of financial literacy taught to kids from a young age, and the reason why mom may not want kids to spend their hard-earned cash on her but to learn to save money.

"We get into habits at a young age. And kids are exposed to advertisements, the Internet and cellphones that expose them to more messages to purchase," said Vince Shorb, CEO of the National Financial Educators Council.

"Their spending habits are formed at a very young age,"

Keys to Financial Literacy

He thinks financial literacy begins with parents first.

"Parents themselves lack hope today, and what they see for themselves in the future they're putting onto their children as well."

Shawn Gilfedder, President and CEO of McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union, also believes there is a need for more early-stage financial literacy programs.

"Teaching by example is a good place to start," said Gilfedder, who agreed that financial education begins at home.

Gilfedder said parents should involve kids in household budgeting and grocery shopping as a way to get them interested in personal finance. Involving them in the day-to-day finances of the home could help them to prepare for the future.

Meanwhile, Shorb of the NFEC thinks positive spending habits can be learned during family time.

"We do a lot of games with families to help teach them about money. The family brings out a gas or electric bill, sits down with their kids and covers the last three months and they figure out, 'What can we do to reduce this electric bill 20$ a month?' Then, we can go out for pizza," he told CNBC.

Marci Redding, executive vice president of The Financial Wellness Group, said it's never too early to think about financial wellness and financial literacy. If younger generations learn it sooner, they could find financial balance and stability in their future.

"They must get into the mind-set first," she said. Younger generations must have "moved to that place in their mind, saying, 'This is important,'" she told CNBC.

McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union has some basic tips to help prepare kids for a safe financial future:

Allowance allows kids to learn more about what things cost. It makes them appreciate money and realize it is much easier to spend than it is to earn.



Talk about money. Share basic lessons on budgeting when you make a major purchase or use your credit card.



Teach budgeting. When your kid wants something special, give them the tools to earn, save, and compromise to reach their goal.

"It's essential that parents are involved in helping kids form these habits," said Shorb. "Gaining knowledge, combined with habits they form, they stand a better chance of achieving a state of financial wellness."