[johub]

So we were planning a family trip to Disneyland. Money in the bank and everything. when. . . .<br>
The water heater breaks.<br>
We are fortunate that this time we actually have the money availible to replace it. BUt that means postponing disneyland.<br><br>
My DD who is 13 is FURIOUS with me. "How can you choose hot water over Disneyland!!!!!!!!"<br>
I try to share her disappointment, I want to go as badly as she does.<br>
But she is just certain that it would be no problem to take cold showers ALL WINTER LONG, so she can still go to Disneyland. (not to mention no hot water for the dishwasher or washign diapers)<br><br>
Thank goodness my toddlers have no idea of the calendar so they have no idea the trip is delayed.<br><br>
joline

 

[abac]

That's funny. Has she ever taken a cold shower?

 

[nonconformnmom]

Hee! One thing that jumps to mind is to ask 13 year old dd if she would be willing to give up cable (or whatever premium tv you have, if you have it) or dvd rentals, what have you, to save up the money. I know that would cause <i>my</i> teenager to reconsider! :nana: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[Fuamami]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>johub</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">"How can you choose hot water over Disneyland!!!!!!!!"</div>
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:LOL

 

[Dar]

So are you going to start being a TCS parent now, so she'll respond rationally in case of future delays? It might not be too late <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br>
Dar

 

[UnschoolnMa]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Dar</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">So are you going to start being a TCS parent now, so she'll respond rationally in case of future delays? It might not be too late <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br>
Dar</div>
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<span>Hurry hurry! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></span>

 

[SagMom]

I wouldn't see your dd's choice as being irrational. (Personally *I* would prefer hot water over Disneyland, but then, I have zero desire to go to Disneyland in the first place, so it's not much of a dilemma! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> )<br><br>
Choosing disney is one option to the problem. Maybe she thinks it's a good one because she hasn't thought through the issue of having to boil water for washing dishes or a bath---or maybe she HAS and just thinks that it would be worth it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"> Different people have different priorities, yk?<br><br>
I wouldn't see these types of things as "good" choices or "bad" choices, just different. It all depends on what's important to that individual.<br><br>
If this was my family, I wouldn't announce that the trip was postponed. I'd open the issue up for discussion. "Here's the deal, we need a new hot water heater, it's really important to me, and I'm not willing to go without one. We could postpone our trip to pay for it, that's one idea. What else could we do?" And I'd expect that the kids would either agree to my idea or come up with other ideas.<br><br>
I don't think that the "rational" decision in any circumstances has to be what *I* would choose.