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06.12.08, 13:58 PM New York City
25 replies
Ds (5y) just broke his big sister's digital camera by tossing it in the air. It'll probably cost $70 to replace. He only has $25 in his piggy bank. Does it seem extreme to take all of his money. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
New York City 06.12.08, 01:58 PM Flag
 

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yes. I would take 1/2 his money and then set up a system where he could "work off" the other half of the debt by doing chores or whatever for his sister. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 01:59 PM Flag
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why is he paying for the replacement...odd [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:00 PM Flag
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odd? This will teach consequences. Ever heard of them? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:00 PM Flag
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np, you think it is odd to make restitution when you damage someone elses property? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:01 PM Flag
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If he accidentally knocked it off the table or sat on it because his sister left it on a chair, I'd think it was odd. But OP said he was tossing it in the air...having him contribute to the replacement sounds fair to me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:02 PM Flag
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ITA [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:04 PM Flag
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but he is 5. he doesn't understand the relative replacement cost of items. he's receiving a much more severe punishment than if he's tossed her ice cream cone in the air, even though the two crimes are essentially the same. adults understand that, so it would make sense for adults to take on replacement cost when they are careless with something. for a kid, the punishment should be the same regardless of how much the broken object costs. (Loss of privileges, room confinement, whatever) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:22 PM Flag
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np: I like your thinking. The money really doesn't mean much to him, either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:26 PM Flag
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nnp. totally depends on the kid. My nephew at 5yo would be devastated at losing any $$. He is 11 now and has more in his savings acct than I do! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:27 PM Flag
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but, only if he had been told not to do this. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:00 PM Flag
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I disagree. This sounds like being careless with someone else's stuff. He should have to face the consequences. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:17 PM Flag
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It's a camera. He knows to be careful with it, and it belongs to his sister...belonged. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:18 PM Flag
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Eh...sometimes if my 5yo dd is doing something that may result in something being broken and she's been warned not to do it, I tell her that if she continues and it breaks I'll have to take all the money out of her piggy bank. I haven't had to do it yet, but I guess for me I'd say in your case it is not extreme. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:00 PM Flag
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^^^I do this for "expensive" stuff, which for me a camera would fall under. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:01 PM Flag
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two things. Your 5yo already understand the concept of money and financial responsibility? If not taking the money is really not teaching him anything at all except that something was taken away from him. Secondly, he is just 5yo. You have to expect things like that from a kid that age. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:06 PM Flag
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np both good points, but I think OP should give some consequences. Taking some of his $$ will be a good place for him to start understanding how $$ works [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:08 PM Flag
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But that depends on how much he understands what you are doing. He probably doesn't care that you took $10 out of his piggy bank. Taking away his Thomas train would probably work much better as a punishment. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:12 PM Flag
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very possible. I guess OP would know her DS and what would work best. I like or above who suggested a combination of things. Take some $$ and then make him do his sister's chores or something. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:14 PM Flag
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That was me, thanks. I have never understood taking a train for breaking a camera?? I always try to make the punishment connected to the crime and am a huge fan of natural consequences. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:30 PM Flag
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5 is plenty old enough to know not to throw a camera around [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:09 PM Flag
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Yes, good point. But 5yos don't act rationally all the time. I think my main point was that you could take anything away from him in order to punish him. Taking away his most favorite toy at that time would probably much more effect than taking away money (unless that is his favorite toy). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:11 PM Flag
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if he's managed to save up $25 in his piggybank, than I imagine that he understands what money is and values it. Otherwise it would be spent on junk by now. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:24 PM Flag
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doubt it. we tossed the random $ people gave ds ("here's a dollar, kid") into a money box in his room from the time he was a toddler. by the time he woke up at around 5.5 and realized $ was something he could spend, he had a couple hundred bucks [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:27 PM Flag
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OP: Thanks to all. I loved the poster who suggested getting him to do her chores! He hates to clean up the toys, and I think that a little extra work will do him good. Thanks :) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:24 PM Flag
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Oh my gosh. Two thank yous. I just love the new UB! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.08, 02:32 PM Flag
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