Last night as I was getting the bath ready for the kids, a conversation was taking place downstairs between my son and my husband. Seems my nearly 6 year old had some change downstairs and started talking to Daddy about buying a book. A specific book. One he had seen at the school’s book fair that day.
It’s not always easy to get an entire conversation out of my young man. For starters, it’s a lot of work for him. For another, he’s usually too busy to just sit and talk about something. But there they were talking about this book and how much money it costs (he knew: $5) and he and Daddy counted out the money.
When they came upstairs my son was very excited and so was my husband. In fact, he was very proud of his boy and the concepts he had grasped on money (a topic at school in the last few weeks). So I agreed to take him to school this morning and attend the book fair to make his purchase.
First thing this morning, the conversation started again. It was money he received for Valentine’s Day and Christmas. He had it gathered (and so did his little sister). I loaded them in the car and went to the school library.
The book fair was all set up, but the event had closed last night. We could not make a purchase. My son could show me the book, but we couldn’t buy it.
Oh, I felt awful! After calming down my very upset son, we went to the playground (where he stays until the bell rings). We talked about how I could use his money and go buy the book for him on my lunch break. He handed me his cash. But I know it’s not the same. As I drove away, I looked at the playground. He was circled by all his classmates and was telling them the story.
I’m going to change the plans and make sure he goes to the store himself to make the purchase. I think that’s just the best way for this lesson to still take place.
Next time, I’m going to read the school newsletters a bit more carefully.
Oh do I know this story… it’s all about the sense of accomplishment and cementing his new grasp of the almighty dollar. Good choice Mom, take him with you, let him put the bills on the counter, smile at the cashier as she hands him his purchase, while you smile at him and to yourself for a lesson well taught. I’m smiling just typing this. Oh, and did I mention my boys are 5 and 7?