Like most parents I feel that giving my kids a sense of what a dollar is worth is part of their up-bringing. You know money does not grow on trees but do the kids know that whenever we go to the store, kinda thing. Well over the last few weeks the kids have been coming back with some statements that has me thinking we are on the right track.
First; Sam's friend was told by his single parent mother that after three weeks of good behavior at school she would buy him a wii. Well on the way home from school Sam's friend pulled out his behavior chart and exclaimed with glee, "Look I got all excellence and it has been three weeks and now I get a wii." Sam who was in the front seat quickly responded with, "Your mama can't buy a wii, she does not have enough money and those things cost a lot." Needless to say Sam was right yet his friend completely ignored Sam and continued with his excitement and furthered it with all the games he is going to get and remotes and everything. Sam just turned to me slowly shaking his head, "His mama doesn't have the money for a wii and there is no way she would have the money for all those games, hugh mama?"
Second; we were in Bakersfield and the freeway home had been flooded so we waited it out at Ian's brothers house for a couple hours then tentatively proceeded to drive home hoping that the freeway was now open and clear of water. As we are leaving Bakersfield Sam asked if the freeway is not open are we going to stay at a hotel. Leah quickly responded with, "There is no way Sam, hotels cost money and we would stay at Chris and Lacey's (Ian's brother and wife) house cause they would not cost us anything" She proceeded to inform Sam that hotels need money to stay open and Chris and Lacey's house is already always lived in so they would not expect us to pay them for staying there.
I honestly have to say that it is funny for a nine year old to have the mentality of a free couch is always better than a paid room.
And then finally today as we are driving to get the kids Emma asked me if the mountains are free. Is the snow free? Are the trees free? I know that she was having a go at me for not taking her to the mountains to go sledding but I had to start laughing when she approached it from a financial aspect.
So yep there you go, apparently my kids are not going without yet they seem to know when a mama don't have the money it is just not happening, a free couch is always better than a paid for bed, and if its free and fun than why the heck aren't we there?!!!
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