Thursday, July 10, 2008
What to do?
This morning Jaxon and Kade approached me with an offer. For $500 they will give me the "bonus room" which is a very large room over our garage. They currently use it for a bed room/play room. They know I've been wanting that room for a long time. By doing this, they would be moved to a much smaller room. It's cute and decorated for them already but still, much smaller. I've talked them down to $75 each however, that's a lot of money to cough up for something I technically own. What do you think? Should I do it or not? Jaxon has turned into quite the negotiator. Last year for his birthday I offered him cash instead of throwing him a big party. We finally settled on $83.50 and he couldn't have been happier. Looking back I should have offered much less to start. The other day he mentioned this year he'll take $50. I guess he can put it toward his yellow mini-van:) Seriously, please give me some feed back here.
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I say that you are the Mom and it is your room. If you really want it, it's already yours. I can see maybe giving them $10 each, but $75 is a lot... heck, for $75 I'll give you my room and take theirs. Of course, you would have to give my hubby $75 too. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know it's still too much. The thing is the boys LOVE that room and it's been a great space for them to hang out and have plenty of room to play and build "wars". I have Kade down to $20 and Jaxon down to $50. Which is still a lot but knowing what a sacrifice this is for Jaxon it seems kind of fair. I would be able to use the room for our home school, work out equipment and to set up a small sewing area. I am slowly convincing Jaxon how great it would be to use it for home school. We'll see how it plays out:) Thanks for your input. I enjoy your blog, the recipe's and the daily scripture! Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteSince it is a multipurpose room, maybe you should keep the toys in the room and have them just sleep in the other room. You could build a little tree house/fort for them to keep all of their toys in. Then they can still spread out their play when they want to.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Sorry to be nosey
Yeah, I'd do that except that every book I've read on home school says to keep toys in a separate room. I will put some learning toys in there for Sophia to keep her occupied while we do school. They have big stackable storage bins for their toys so it will be tight but doable. Is that a real word? Thanks for the suggestion, you aren't being nosey!!
ReplyDeleteI regret saying I want a yellow mini van. Its gotten me too much attention.jaxon
ReplyDeleteFrom an old Mom, I am rather against it. Being part of a family is not a money making endeavor. Having regular chores to do , just because you are part of he family should be expected. Doing extra jobs can be for earning money. Teaching financial responsibility at an early age is a good thing and should be encouraged, but to can be twisted and we unwittingly are teaching a love of money,which can turn into a bad thing. Many home schooled families don't have the luxury of an added room just for that, so the children really learn to focus and that is good thing. You are a good smart Mom, that is trying to do what is right,for those cute ,precious children of yours, so I am sure you will do what is best!!!
ReplyDeleteLove, Old Aunt Julie
(who looks back and sees both good things we did and some bad ideas, that sounded good at the time and the happy and some unhappy consequences of both !)
Thanks Julie! I have since decided against it. I've decided they are part of this family and have to make sacrifices too and besides that, they will still benefit from use of the room. I guess I had a moment of weakness! They do earn money from jobs and are expected to tithe, save and then spend if they want. But maybe I should only pay them for "extra" jobs. As far as the birhtday money goes. I don't love throwing party's every year so that is why I offered to just give Jaxon the money. He didn't get presents on top of it, he just got to spend that amount. From now on we will allow them to have a party every other year but what do you think about letting him pick his gifts? Not sure if I'll do that or not. He loved being able to pick out his own stuff. What do you think? I appreciate your wise advice and hey, you're not that old!
ReplyDeleteI think it is just fine for them to pick out part of their present and some years when it is a big ticket item,i.e. bike, skateboard, snowboard, etc., let their whole wad go that way. Otherwise, I like to have them always put some in savings, by one thing they need, ( might be backpack or new Sunday shoes, they sure learn to take care of basic things when some comes out of their pocket) then pick our something fun for themselves, of course with parental supervision.
ReplyDeleteLiked your quote, it is a lifelong process teaching ourselves and family members about unselfishness, sometimes I have am the one who needs the lessons the most!! So funny too Zachary our grandson is 10 going on 21 , I think the teen years are beginning earlier and earlier, and yet sometimes he is such a little boy. Stressful for him and for us some days !!!
Since I've had a few people ask, I've decided to let the boys keep the bonus room and I'm taking the blue room for homeschool. Mostly because I decided I'd rather have a small room to keep all our homeschool stuff in w/ out other things like treadmills, weights & sewing stuff to clutter my space. Jaxon's happy but Kade wants his 20bucks! :)
ReplyDelete