This week I'm going to begin the planning of our upcoming school year. I've already decided on the units I want to cover, but need to get busy matching lessons to the calendar. This year we'll be focusing on the following character traits: responsibility, patience, stewardship, determination, self-control and resourcefulness. As I peruse my list I wonder if I'm planning this school year as much for my education as for the boys'.
This week I'm going to begin the planning of our upcoming school year. I've already decided on the units I want to cover, but need to get busy matching lessons to the calendar. This year we'll be focusing on the following character traits: responsibility, patience, stewardship, determination, self-control and resourcefulness. As I peruse my list I wonder if I'm planning this school year as much for my education as for the boys'.
Last night Chris, our 5 year old, was looking through the Sunday circulars when he came across the Target pages. He runs into the room to find me and excitedly points to the pictures which have rapt his attention.
"Mamma, look! I want these!" He can barely contain himself. I look over at the page, expecting to see some new Bionicle or Hot Wheels gimmick. What he's actually interested in are the back-packs on sale and the "WorldBound Metro 6-pc luggage set." The set includes 3 sizes of roller boards as well as a shoulder bag, toiletries pouch and a garment bag, all for the low price of $88.88.
"What on Earth, Chris? Luggage?" What can a 5 year old want with a set of luggage?
But Chris is absolutely hooked. His favorite things in the world are his stuffed animals, making crafts, and packing. He lovingly folds the glossy ad and carefully places it on the counter for safe-keeping. Then, he begs me to get down his money cup (in lieu of a piggy bank) and begins to count his dough. He's got $8.17; enough to get the $7.77 back pack but still more than $80.00 short on the luggage.
As we discuss the financial requirements for this purchase, Chris asks how long it would take to get the extra $80.
"Well, at $5/week, we're talking 16 weeks, buddy."
"Hmmm," his face falls. "And we can't print money because the police would get us." He reminds me.
"That's right, sweetie, we can't print money." I agree.
"Do we have a printer?" The wheels are turning, "Or no, no," he vacillates, "we can't print money. Do we have the right paper?" It's almost as if you can see the battle of good-conscience/bad-conscience being waged in his head.
"You're right, Chris. It's illegal and we don't have the right kind of printer or paper. We'd never get away with it."
"Do you think Daddy will share his money with me?" He asks.
"He might, you can present your case to him and see what he says about giving you a loan." I encourage.
"And I'll tell him that I want to waste his money on the whole set, not just a piece." He runs his plan by me.
"You may want to change the word 'waste' to something like, 'invest,' but yes, something like that. Tell him something like that." It's all in the presentation.
As I sat down this morning I realized that this one little incident has the potential to encompass the whole realm of character traits we're going to study. Unfortunately, the Target sale is only good through July 23. So, instead of learning patience, self-control and stewardship, Chris may end up learning the great American lesson: credit and debt management.