My son is constantly losing things by leaving them behind.?

Question

He is 8, is this normal? Also, what can I, or his teachers, do to help him remember his things without constantly harping at him?

Answer 1

I have an 8-year-old daughter and based on my experience, YES - this is very normal! My daughter is always losing things as well and it drives me up the wall.

I've been thinking about a solution for this too. I've decided that it is best to have them learn the hard way. Instead of letting the behavior slide or continuing to replace the things she loses, I'm going to let her deal with the consequences. A couple examples: My daughter checked out a library book and lost it. We've looked everywhere imaginable for the darn thing and now the book is going to have to be reported lost and paid for in full. Her consequences for this are no library priviledges for quite some time AND that she will be paying the price of the book through her allowance, instead of a treat for herself. Another Example: I just bought her a pair of winter gloves and surprise, surprise....within a week of having them she lost one at school. I could just run out and buy another pair but what for when I know she'll lose them too? To teach her responsibility and that money doesn't grow on trees, as harsh as this may seem... she is going to have to go through this winter (and we live in Wisconsin - cold winters) with that one glove! And if she loses that one too, then she'll have no gloves.

I think "tough love" like this will teach them to be more responsible with their things. I've found that children learn from their mistakes best by receiving consequences for their actions and having open communication between parent and child.

Good luck! :-)

Answer 2

I have an 8 year old and a 10 year old. Both boys and they both lose things constantly. I bought well over 16 hats and caps in the last few years and we are down to about 6 now. "I" have learned to limit my purchases and to limit the amount of "things" they may potentially leave behind.

I attach gloves to their coats and remind them about hats. Losing things at school can be avoided and sometimes unavoidable... like pencils ending up in someone elses desk, markers in someone elses art box etc.

I have heard of children losing ipods, psp games, dolls, etc. at school. Never allow your child to take such things... or even sneak such things to school. I check backpacks and coat pockets before they head out the door. Some children have lost allowances and birthday money while in school.

Again, try to limit what your son totes around. If he forgets his coat, bookbag, or lunch tote at school, I would hope that the school would safeguard the item, although they are under no obligation. If you can help him to be responsible and a commander over a few things, later he may find himself better able to keep track of a few more things in the future.
Also talk to him and find out if he feels rushed or anxious about anything. This can lead to forgetfulness as well.

I too lose things, but I find that I do so when I have a "lot" on my mind or a "lot" of other things in my posession.

Blessings sis

Answer 3

Some people are just more forgetful than others. Its not abnornal. I know many adults that keep forgeting things such as umbrellas or wallets.

All I can suggest is not letting him become ashamed of his forgetfulness and come up with some practical ways of getting him to remember things, such as giving him a checklist of things to bring home.

Answer 4

My son is 9 and my daughter is 8. A simple solution (or should i say way to teach a lesson) is each time your son leaves behind (or doesn't properly put away) something important to HIM, like a toy, hide it. Eventually he'll start asking where his things are. Take this time to give a short lesson on responsibility and accountablility. Good luck!

Answer 5

you basically advised my existence tale, basically approximately be conscious for be conscious. i think of with mothers it is something instilled by nature to make certain that us to stay to tell the story. i'm continuously surprised at mothers in nature. a chum of mine has a cat. the cat has on no account been exterior or seen the different animal aside from human beings in it is 2 365 days existence. my buddy cat sat for me and watched my male cat for some days and of course his cat have been given pregnant. now this cat has on no account seen yet another cat until now and has no information of what a cat even is, yet while the kittens have been born she new to devour each and every of the stuff and get them out of the sack and the thank you to stimulate them and feed them. how in the international does she be attentive to the thank you to try this. and on suitable of that, basically attempt to get close to her now. she'll combat. i think of in some techniques it is like that with human beings too. i be attentive to that no count number what i do or the place i finally end up, as long as my mom is alive I easily have a chum to returned me up.

Answer 6

one day he will lose something that is really important to him, and i think from then on he will realize that he needs to keep better track of his things. until then, maybe you and the teacher can both make lists of things that he needs to remember when he heads to school and comes back home again. so then he can make sure he's got everything.

Answer 7

yeah it is, cause all kids lose things, or at the most don't let them take out any toys when you go out!!!!

Answer 8

Let him deal with the consequences....... he will learn quick enough.