Sometimes I forget how what I say can impact my kids. Strange how 90% of what I say to them goes in one ear and out the other but the 10% that sticks isn't always what I want them to remember.
Apparently I tell the kids too often that I don’t have money for something. Like every time we go to the store and they are asking for more toys I always say, “sorry, not today, I didn’t bring any money for that”. Or when Paige asks me for her allowance and I tell her I don’t have any cash and I need to go to the bank. Or when Paige asks me to give her $10 to give to the kids who only have half a heart (her school did a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and totally sucked the kids in)…and I again tell her. I don’t have any cash.
Apparently I tell the kids too often that I don’t have money for something. Like every time we go to the store and they are asking for more toys I always say, “sorry, not today, I didn’t bring any money for that”. Or when Paige asks me for her allowance and I tell her I don’t have any cash and I need to go to the bank. Or when Paige asks me to give her $10 to give to the kids who only have half a heart (her school did a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and totally sucked the kids in)…and I again tell her. I don’t have any cash.
Today when she got breakfast at school, her lunch money
account was depleted and I forgot to transfer money into it this week. So
the lunch lady told Paige to remind me to do so and of course she was still
able to eat and everything. Apparently Paige’s eyes teared up and she
told her that we didn’t have any money to put in there. Her Y Care teacher
called me to let me know about Paige’s reaction and make sure that what Paige
said wasn’t true.
I laughed (through embarrassment for both myself and Paige)
and then asked to talk to Paige and told her not to worry, there was plenty of
money for her lunches and I was so sorry that I forgot. I guess that although it is funny story. It is also an important reminder to be careful what I say and be ready to deal with the consequences.
On the other hand, I think that letting Paige know that lunch isn't free and the money comes from somewhere is important too. I think back to when I was a kid. It was 100% MY responsibility to remember to tell my mom when I was out of lunch tickets. She would write me a check for another 2 weeks worth and I had to go buy them from the lunch lady before school. THEN, I was responsible for keeping track of those 10 tickets and remembering to bring one each day or guess what. No lunch. I can remember the day you would forget and had to ask all of your friends if they had an extra one and you would pay them back the next day. That was just how it went. We were held accountable. Now that was junior high and high school, not elementary. Honestly I don't remember that process but I am certain it wasn't electronic.
Anyway, I really am just rambling but there has to be a balance between what we do for our kids and what they do for themselves. I will figure it out one lesson at a time...
On the other hand, I think that letting Paige know that lunch isn't free and the money comes from somewhere is important too. I think back to when I was a kid. It was 100% MY responsibility to remember to tell my mom when I was out of lunch tickets. She would write me a check for another 2 weeks worth and I had to go buy them from the lunch lady before school. THEN, I was responsible for keeping track of those 10 tickets and remembering to bring one each day or guess what. No lunch. I can remember the day you would forget and had to ask all of your friends if they had an extra one and you would pay them back the next day. That was just how it went. We were held accountable. Now that was junior high and high school, not elementary. Honestly I don't remember that process but I am certain it wasn't electronic.
Anyway, I really am just rambling but there has to be a balance between what we do for our kids and what they do for themselves. I will figure it out one lesson at a time...
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