...is another one's punishment.
How would you have handled this one?
Noah has been acting out a little during a certain class activity these last couple of weeks in school. They do the same "learning activity" each day and even though I have made it clear that I expect him to do the work, it still seems like drudgery to me and I wish they could add a little variety.
But, be that as it may, during this certain work time activity on Thursday, Noah decided that rather than cutting the words out on the paper and gluing them into the book (busy work), he would rather sit and cut a hole in his jeans. Not a big hole, but a hole nevertheless.
He did the same thing last year to a shirt, and the way I handled it was to make him return a toy that I had stored in the back of the van and use the money to buy a new shirt. (It was right before Christmas so I had a lot of things stored in the back of the van.)
I have nothing this time and I spent the night trying to think of a related consequence which would help him see the values of his clothes and why he can't destroy them.
What would you have done?
This is where gender differences show their pretty little faces. The moms of boys (and maybe some girls) out there will be right with me on this one and the moms of girls will most likely think I'm crazy.
Here's the punishment...
"Noah, we're going shopping!"
"NO, MOMMY...PLEASE NO SHOPPING!"
Yup, this kid HATES trying on pants with an absolute passion. We haven't been able to afford giving the boys allowances like we wanted this year so I can't just make him take his money to buy new jeans. So while other parents would choose to punish this behavior by groundings or taking away precious toys, I have decided that my punishment will be going shopping and trying on new pants to replace the old ones. The physical act of having to go into the store to try on pants will indeed be the worst punishment my six year old can endure. I'll let you know on Monday how it goes.
I can only hope that this will make it so there will be no more cutting incidents this year, because putting up with the temper tantrum in the fitting rooms is really no picnic for Dear Old Mom, either.
Have a great weekend. We're supposed to get hit by a massive snow storm this weekend. How we only seem to get storms on Saturdays? We have gotten robbed out of snow days way too many times this year.
8 comments:
I love this... it seems to be a VERY NATURAL consequence!
and... very funny to read about --thanks!
I wonder if a lesson about money might also go along with the dreaded shopping?
Anyway, I will be praying that Mom has patience and the the kids learn the lesson-- and that Peace reigns!
OH you mean mom, shopping NOOOO!
Okay I'm sitting here laughing that is probably the best, funniest, and definitly most appropriate punishment for a little one who hates shopping. Alex would love it and Dylan would be so mad about it. For me Dylan's punishment for wearing holes in the knees of every pair of pants he owns is the (very, very tacky) patches I put on the knees to fix them. He hates the way they look and complains very vocally, but I just remind him that it's his fault they look like that.
Ah, boys will be boys!
Diva did this to several clothing items at the beginning of the school year. I was furious. Some of them were brand new and one was a jeans jacket I really liked and planned on passing down to Peanut eventually. When I first saw it, I thought it was a one time occurence, but I think when I discovered it, she had cut a couple of the other items already. Anyway, I just had a stern lecture with her and told her if she did it again I would be make her replace the clothing. Even though I found a couple more items after the fact, I went with that because I really don't think she did it again after I had discovered it and talked to her, if that makes sense. I can't understand what gets into their heads! I like how you handled it, both times.
I guess I have no advice here, just support for what you are going through.
I am crackin' up!!!! My boys are like their Dad...a rare breed and actually really like to shop...so, I guess I would be digging in the toy box instead of hitting the mall. However, I think you did the right thing, girlfriend!
Thanks for the laugh and have a SAFE weekend!
xoxo, Veronica in CA
p.s. Almost Disney time, huh?!?!?!
Perfect consequence! My daughter hacked up a couple of shirts, and I don't know why - she liked them - but shopping for her would be more fun for her, and punnishment for me so I just yelled and threw them in the trash 'cause I'm supermom.
Punishment fits the crime. It was perfect. I hope your expedition was not too hard on you though.
Big hugs and good job!
If he hates shopping I think that's a great idea and I would make him work it off and pay for the jeans himself. It's hard to teach boys to be good stewards of thing....the couch, furniture and especially clothes...I think they are born with a need to destruct! This is a little different but Parker (6.5yrs old mind you) will not put his shoes away...so one day I took away all but the 3 pair that were in their correct spot. I put them on top of the closet and he has had to do extra work to earn them back. He STILL doesn't have them all back yet but we try to find extra hard work for him....so he's been wearing flip flops this winter but I think he has learned his lesson..I haven't picked up a shoe of his in week (maybe party b/c he doesn't have very many!) HA!!! Anyway, if he cuts again I would take away ALL of his jeans and make him go to school in slacks or shorts or sweats or whatever but that will teach him in my opinion!
Creative consequence! :)
Hopefully it doesn't equal too much punishment for you too! Good luck.
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