WWYD - lost electronic thingy

[kathymuggle]

Ds had a friend over the other day - and DS friend lost DS memory chip for a gaming system. I do not beleive he stole it - but rather, picked it up, put it down where it did not belong...and it got shuffled around.

At least Ds is pretty sure his friend had it last....I am inclined to believe him as DS usually treats his electronics carefully

So - what to do?

Do you, as the parent, replace it?
or
If DS wants a new one - he should buy it.

Ds is 11 - he gets a paltry allowance of 10$ a month (although we do buy him stuff in addition to this 10$)

PS. Item is about $10-$20

[BelovedK]

personally, i would help him replace it, he can't help it if it happened the way you describe. 10-20$ isn't that much to us, but is so much to a child.

[ThreeBeans]

For an 11 year old? I would allow him to do extra chores to 'earn' the money.


Part of being responsible for your stuff is being aware of careless friends.

[sunnysideup]

Originally Posted by ThreeBeans

For an 11 year old? I would allow him to do extra chores to 'earn' the money.


Part of being responsible for your stuff is being aware of careless friends.

Sometimes accidents happen, and things get lost. It doesn't necessarily mean anyone was being careless.

If I lost something that I needed, I would buy a replacement with the household money. Anyone in the family could do the same.

[marybethorama]

Originally Posted by sunnysideup

Sometimes accidents happen, and things get lost. It doesn't necessarily mean anyone was being careless.

If I lost something that I needed, I would buy a replacement with the household money. Anyone in the family could do the same.

I agree.

[shelbean91]

Originally Posted by sunnysideup

Sometimes accidents happen, and things get lost. It doesn't necessarily mean anyone was being careless.

If I lost something that I needed, I would buy a replacement with the household money. Anyone in the family could do the same.

True, but if I lose my cell phone and I don't readily have the $$ available to replace, I have to work and save enough to buy a new one. Or buy a used one on the cheap (or post an ISO here and hope someone has an old one around they're willing to give away! )

If he's generally careful, either extra chores or just replacing it for him would be fine, IMO. It's really up to you.

[mamaduck]

I would probably split the cost just to be nice. But you know, first I'd comb the house carefully with him. Items lost in the house *have* to be somewhere, right?

[Arduinna]

I'd just buy a new one myself.

[Yoshua]

Originally Posted by sunnysideup

Sometimes accidents happen, and things get lost. It doesn't necessarily mean anyone was being careless.

If I lost something that I needed, I would buy a replacement with the household money. Anyone in the family could do the same.

Agreed.

However if you as an adult lost something and would buy the replacement with household money, that house hold money still has to be earned by someone.

And if broken down you or your husband works for the income, or both, and the other takes care of the kids (well you both do but you know what I mean) so that household money IS earned by the adults.


I agree with letting them do more chores, nothing major and just over a weeks time and buy it that weekend for them. That way they get to experience the loss of losing something important to them and the rewards for working to get it back.



ps-I wouldnt tell him, but if he did everything needed with very little extra prompting to get the card replaced I might just buy him 2 or something else he wanted to show how much you appreciate his responsibility. Like others said 10-20$ isnt alot for most adults but its a small treasure trove to a kid.

[Papai]

Originally Posted by ThreeBeans

For an 11 year old? I would allow him to do extra chores to 'earn' the money.


Part of being responsible for your stuff is being aware of careless friends.

Totally agree.

That's something my parents instilled in me as a youngster, "Be responsible for your guests when you invite them over."

[littlemizflava]

i have had that happen to me in the past yes people do pick things up and take it even when they dont look the type it does happen it is not his fault if his friend picked it up and took it or misplaced it i would get a new one for him if your ds is good with his stuff and treats them good then just replace it but if he is the one losing it then that is another story then i would say he had to earn the money for it

[kathymuggle]

We have not found it yet...but we have not torn apart the house yet either. It is only about 1.5 inches by1.5 inches.

In any event, if we do not find it this weekend, I will let him earn the money for it. I will probably be generous with wages, though.

I am afraid if I simply pay for it, he will not remeber that he needs to watch his stuff when friends are over.

thanks all!

kathy

[dadinblue]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

I'd just buy a new one myself.

Yep. Stuff happens, and DS will learn from this.

Buy this one... the next one's on him.