Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Leading by my example

"Mom!!!"

"What?"

"I lost my money."

"Where did you see it last?"

"I put it next to my ATM machine and now it's gone." Yes. My son has his own ATM machine. It's like the Hello Kitty piggy bank I had when I was six, only much much cooler. And not pink.

"Go look for it. Use your looking eyes."

"It's not there."

"MAMA. IT'S NOT HERE!!!" He screams from the top of the stairs. By the time he reaches the bottom the tears have formed.

"I lost five dollars of my chore money."

My little guy loves money. Actually. He loves making money and isn't so willing to spend it. Ever since we introduced an allowance he has been saving it in his ATM machine (which sorts, counts, give balances, and allows withdrawals).

"I know how to solve the problem, Mama."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"How can you solve this problem?" I love listening to my children's problem solving and often problem solve out loud to myself. It's how we ended up in the penthouse on our European vacation.

"You can give me your 5 dollars and when I find my old 5 dollars I can re-pay you."

"Well, that's funny."

"Why?"

"What if I was a bank and you walked in and said I lost my money and I need you to give me some and when I find my money I will repay you. Isn't that weird, Jay?"

giggle.

"It's funny isn't it?"

giggle.

"Well. Not really. That's what the automakers said to the government. And the banks too." My husband joins the conversation.

(Insert evil glares directed at the husband from the wife)

"That is funny, Jay. I can not give you 5 dollars simply because you lost your own. Work hard to find it. The money never left the house."

"But... Daddy... government... banks...." He wipes his eyes.

"Money doesn't have feet. It could not have just walked away and must be somewhere in your room. Look hard to find it."

It has been over 24 hours and the kid has not shown the motivation to find it. I know where it is. It's behind his desk underneath his red foam shield. And. I'm not going to tell him. Why? Because I want him to be motivated to find it on his own and appreciate it.

Jay and his most favorite Christmas gift. A two dollar bill.

Speaking of money... I am giving away a $100 gift certificate to Yummie Tummie awesome and very classy shape wear, t-shirts, and tanks: here. And paying it forward it here.

40classy comments:

Flea said...

Good for you! What is it about kids not looking for things they've lost? Mine do the same thing. Still. As teenagers.

Great two-dollar-bill-face. :)

Rhea said...

Darn husbands always with their witty little comments. I hear ya.

AutoSysGene said...

How strange. That was one of Hope's favorites this year, too. Now what do you do with a $2 bill?

Must be the age, huh?

Meg said...

This is excellent training for your little one so one day when he's a man he can find stuff in the refrigerator, the hall closet, and his sock drawer.

Scary Mommy said...

Ugh, the male species is hopeless. (But that picture is too freaking cute!)

Lisa said...

That bank sounds fabulous. and you are such a good mommy by making him work to find it!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Great lesson....how long do you think it will take for him to find it?

He looks like he is thrilled with his Two dollar bill!! I had a grandfather that always gave them to us as kids...we thought they were so cool!!

Happy New Year...hope 2009 is off to a great start!

Lisa

Caroline C. Bingham said...

Good for you. I think half my day is spent singing "Go back! Go Back! Go Back! Go back to where you were!"

Crystal D said...

Madeline is headed right to Jayland. She is always asking how much things cost and then thinking about how much she has and of course NEVER spending her own money. LOL
But she got some money for Christmas that is only to be spent at the bookstore so I think she is going to like spending when the time comes.

Tyne said...

You are a smart mom! Good for you, I won't tell Jay.

Gretchen said...

Girl, you are so nice. My little Linus lost his $5 gift card for Wal-Mart and I told him I'd just give him $5 until he found the gift card. BUT you have re-inspired me. NEVER AGAIN. My kids love allowance and chore money too. But little Linus is infamous for losing his money. He thinks it's a fun toy. Uh, he's six. You think he'd have figured it out by now!

Anonymous said...

That is a great little lesson mama.. :)

Tara R. said...

I wish someone would show that kind of 'tough love' to the automakers. Good for you mom!

Jeni said...

LOved your methods here about dealing with money, work ethic and even bringing in a great explanation of the current bank and auto makers issues to the mix.

Rachel said...

LOL -- I love that excited grin over his 2 dollar bill. :) Too cute!

I hope he gets around to looking for his "lost" money soon! I bet he'll be even more excited to find it.

Following In My Shoes

Miss said...

Hmmm... so shoving 5 bucks at my kid to shut him up is the WRONG example? Damn. No wonder he's a brat.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Get your revenge - get the husband to hand over his own $5 to Jay and see how he feels then!

Unknown said...

He is a man child! It starts early. If something is not smack dab in front of them they cannot see it, nor will they turn their heads to look. Ahhh the joys of a boy!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

What a great lesson. I'm sure he's found it by now, right!

Now, daddy....what side is he on?

Kaci said...

I love that picture!! :) Damn the goverment! LOL! => Good luck with him finding it!

Unknown said...

Have you considered that perhaps (just perhaps, mind you) HE knows where the money is, too, and he's trying to run a con on Mom?

wac4645 said...

My best friend's mom is southern nad always has great comments for everything. When her husband can't find something she tells him it is not going to jump up and down and wave at him. I do this with my husband too and it always makes him laugh but look for things himself.

GypsiAdventure said...

I'm not so good at that, I'll make DQ go search for it then I will end up helping her go search for it knowing full well where it is at. Ultimately, I find it and then she realizes it is not lost forever and will actually "look" for it. I know, I need to work on this, but it just breaks my heart when they cry!
~K

Diva's Thoughts said...

It's cool that your son is so into money at such a young age. I bet he'll go into finance when he grows up.

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

If only I had a fancy Hello Kitty ATM...

Now, not back then.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

I love that face!! And that he loves money. At least it's a good collection to have. Better than rocks or Legos...

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Maybe Momma needs to suggest he clean his room up a bit - might show him Mom still has the rule of the roost when he finds it (and that you indeed have eyes everywhere).

Love the shot of your happy boy!

Blessings From Above said...

Great lesson. I always cave with my kids, their tears get me every time.

Love the picture of Jay...he looks so thrilled! :)

Lindsay said...

hehe your husband's comment has me laughing! I hope he finds his motivation then I am sure he will find the money :-)

tiarastantrums said...

Oh - so sweet - poor little man. My son is the same way - loves to find lucky coins - but does not want to spend any of his own money!

the mama bird diaries said...

Tell him you'll race him to find it and whoever finds it first, keeps it. That should get him moving.

Adorable snapshot!

April said...

Well played, ohMommy!

Jennifer said...

Oh dear. The male pattern blindness starts at a young age, doesn't it.

And the auto makers...so true!

3 Peanuts said...

I love this story! i think we parent very similarly...and my hubby woud cut in with the same comments:)

I have a great discount on a cute tee on my blog too that made me think of you:)

Kim

A Crafty Mom said...

I bet he'll find it any time. Kids can be relentless about stuff like that. Or worse, he won't find it for six months and then it will turn up when he's not even expecting it. Either way, good job Oh Mommy on teaching the value of money in today's economy!!! :-)

carrie said...

Oh, I TOTALLY get this!

Anonymous said...

my kids LOVE 2 dollar bills also. they've been saving them for years and they are still...only worth 2 dollars!!
such a cute pic!

Jaina said...

I hope he finds it.

Roxane said...

Just came across you blog and LOVE IT! Can't wait to read more...

AreWeThereYet? said...

Tooth fairy brings $2 bills to our house for every tooth (after the first one - that scores more).

It has taken about 4 or 5 teeth to discover that somehow those rare bills go missing. Guess my boy doesn't love his money as much as yours quite yet.

(humming Jack Johnson in the background)---
"you gotts reduce, reuse, recycle..."

 

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