The mischievous smile on my son’s face should have been my first clue that something was rotten in the state of Denmark.
A close second perhaps should have been the fact that his little hands remained hidden behind him as he inched backwards towards his bedroom.
“Mummy, can you please open the door?” Master H asked sweetly, his tone dripping with innocence. Obliging immediately, I followed him into his room and threw open the blinds to let the day’s sunlight stream in. Making small talk about the weather, I failed to take notice that my son – who normally indulges in the art of chatter as naturally and regularly as he does breathing – was largely ignoring me. Instead he’d chosen to stay huddled in the furthest, most furtive corner of his bedroom, his back to me as he busied himself with whatever task it was that was all of a sudden so important he’d chosen not to speak.
I didn’t give it much more thought, and continued on with my morning chores.
And then it dawned on me.
About 10 minutes before I’d reprimanded my boy for playing with my wallet, catching him pulling out my miscellany of cards with glee. Stalking back into his room and I was greeted by the unmistakeable sound of coins clattering. My 4 year old son had just been sprung red handed, pilfering coins from my purse & depositing them directly into his Piggy Bank!
My first reaction was to laugh; I almost admired his guile. Then a wave of parental responsibility washed over me and I knew that whatever response I took could very well likely shape his attitude towards all things fiscal for a lifetime to come.
So I took a tough line and seized back the small coin cache that my son had secretly procured without my permission and braced myself. I knew he had developed a healthy fascination for finance to rival Mr Trump, so my popularity was about to plummet in line with the share market on the last Black Friday.
Greeted with howling sobs (although unable to decipher if they were guilt or greed related), I pulled Master H into my lap and dried his tears with my hands. The time had arrived for our very first serious parent to child chat about all things financial and the privilege of earning pocket money versus simply taking it.
Because, to be frank, I don’t want my child to grow up feeling entitled to raid my wallet on a whim, even if it is only to bulk up his own meagre coin collection. Sure it’s likely just an innocent aberration on his part, considering his age, but I decided then and there that it cannot hurt to have some sort of appreciation for earning instilled in him from an early age.
And I figure, if nothing else, the very least it might do is begin to back up my claims I’m often forced to utter in the toy aisle of the supermarket that “you haven’t saved enough pocket money for that yet” and steer him into more actively asking to help around the house. I’d call that a win for all concerned!
Ahh yes I have a 5 yr old clepto in our house. He told us when we found his stash it was payment for all his years of being our son. ummm? You do not have to laugh at their nerve and the way they think they can pull it over us lol. of course dont laugh until he has been reprimanded ha ha 😉 xx
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We always had to work for pocket money, there was none freely handed out in house, unlike our cousins. Needless to say, even as adults our cousins are all ridiculously terrible with their money and have gotten in to multiple financial mishaps, whereas my sisters and I are much better and have never had any real problems.
I always had to work for my pocket money and as my parents had a business, helping them in the cafe meant I had more money than most kids, was great for feeding my magazine addiction! It is an important lesson for kids to know that money can’t be taken, but must be earned and the earlier they figure that out the better for everyone.
Hahaha, what a cheeky little fella! And clever too!
But I agree with you, there is nothing worse than a child thinking it is fair game to take money out of a parent’s wallet when they want to. Teaching children the value of money and how in reality you have to work to be paid is a lesson they will be appreciative of when they are young adults.
Luckily, when my kids have raided my wallet, it’s not the coins they’re after – they just want to play with my stash of cards! But I think you do have to start as you intend to go on, regardless of their age. I hope he does grow up with a responsible attitude to money as well as a clear understanding that it doesn’t grow on trees!
Yes I am very suspicious of one of mine…He asked to go to McDonalds tonight as he had enough money, only he doesnt get pocket money and his birthday was 7 months ago! When I questioned him where he got it from it was a little bit on the ‘mumbled side’ of I just found it!
Wow! They start young, don’t they?! My first reaction would’ve been to have a giggle but good on you for staying firm with him.
I guess now it’s the continuous reminders that money needs to be appreciated and not just taken out of your purse!
Oh boy, I hope I didn’t influence the behaviour from the fountain pilfering on the Goldy. Whoops!
Nat x