My 10 year old son got his braces off in July and was given a retainer by the orthodontist. The doctor instructed him on how to take care of the retainer and that if it was lost, there would be a $200 charge.
He is to wear the retainer at night and put it back in the case in the bathroom in the morning.
Several days ago, he was getting ready for bed and I asked to see the retainer. He lied and said that he had misplaced it the day before. After questioning him, I found out that it had been gone for a week. It would have been much easier to find if he had told me in the first place that it was gone. We have dogs who chew everything they find.
I really can't afford the $200 to replace something that was not taken care of properly.
My question is would it be wrong for me to suggest selling his video games to raise the money for the new retainer? He has several hundred dollars worth that he has collected over the last few years.
2006-10-25 10:24:31 · 10 answers · asked by sunny 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I think you should tell him that he has to pay half for lying to you and to teach him the value of expensive things. He is 10 and still young but he sure will respect his belongings and be more careful not to lose them if it comes out of his pocket. Tell him he has to choose which video games to give up. Video games aren't a necessity in life anyways, just violent entertainment. I say go for it. Teach him a lesson.
2006-10-25 10:38:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
In my opinion, your son shouldn't have lied to you. I think that's the biggest problem there, not being out $200. Maybe he was afraid to tell you the truth for some reason because you'd be really upset and you'd have to get him a new retainer.
Retainers are easy to lose. It's a fact. It happens. It happens to people of all ages. You said your son was 10, too. I've never known a 10 year old not lose something.
What I suggest is you and your son can sell some of his video games. They depreciate in value, so it's not like you can sell video games at full price. Then, you and your son can make a routine of putting his retainer in his case each day at the same time. He can take part of the responsibility.
2006-10-25 14:33:23 · answer #2 · answered by Mimi Kitty 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Heck no, it's not wrong! Now is a good time to start teaching him responsibility. You provided him the first one, then, it went in His mouth, that you paid to straighten, and he lost it. If you don't make him "suffer" the concequences (face it, he needs a new one...it will be more expensive to have to put braces back on) He won't care about the second one either and won't keep track of it.
Let him cover the cost with his retainer. And keep tabs that he is USING it and check for it every night before he goes to sleep.
2006-10-25 10:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Laura R 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He's 10 and 10-year-olds lose things and they lie about it if they think they will get in trouble. I'm assuming he didn't choose to have braces, so I don't think it's his financial responsibility. I would cover it and tell him that if it happens again, it's his responsibility to pay for a new one. Or at least split it with him (you 150, him 50). He needs to learn about money, but making him sell his video games just seems mean!
2006-10-25 13:04:17 · answer #4 · answered by graybear 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
oh thats rough I dont know if I would make him pay on one hand he did lie to your face but he is only 10. but..
I am sure he doesnt even play 1/2 the games so it would clean up some of the collection and help him learn he needs to be honest with you and life will be easier.
2006-10-25 11:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by Shadow Kat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with most of the others. Make him sell some stuff to help pay for it but not everything.
2006-10-25 13:52:30 · answer #6 · answered by me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He didn't want to tell you because he was scared. I don't think it's wrong to expect him to contribute, but I think it's too much to tell him to pay for all of it. Having him contribute a fraction of the total should be enough to make him realize the value of it and take care of it better.
2006-10-25 10:34:37 · answer #7 · answered by picopico 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
no, i dont think this is unreasonable. its a great way to teach him responsibility, and he can always get the video games back at a birthday, christmas, etc. i think thats a great idea, good luck!
2006-10-25 10:30:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would do that. or make him work it off. i'd also get rid of the chewing dogs.
2006-10-25 10:42:52 · answer #9 · answered by dread pirate lavenderbeard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's 10. That would be plain mean... He is your child and you are responsible for what he does. I don't think you should take away his things for it.
2006-10-25 10:28:53 · answer #10 · answered by Danielle 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋