Money

Connor broke my water-sprayer (the thing that attaches to the water-hose to water plants--I have no idea what it's called).

I was furious. Not because it was new. Not because it was expensive (it wasn't). But because he destroys everything. He probably can't help it--he's a three year old boy. I still can't figure out how he managed to break it, but I'm sure it involved hitting or throwing or bamming or something that I have asked him repeatedly not to do. Just like I have asked him repeatedly to LEAVE MY STUFF ALONE.

So I sent him to time-out, and while he was there I tried to think of a way to make this lesson stick.

"The next time Ninah gives you money," I announced, "you have to give it to me. I'm going to use it to replace the sprayer that you broke." (As if Ninah would allow that....)

He looked confused.

Of course he was confused. He has no concept of what money is. He knows it buys toys, but he doesn't understand that there is a limited amount.

His response to a broken toy is always "We'll have to buy me another one."

"No, Connor, we're not."

"Why not?"

"Because we can't just buy you a new toy every time you break one."

"Well Ninah will buy me a new one." (Thanks, Mom.)

So I try to explain to him that Daddy works hard for money, and that we use that money to buy our house and our clothes and our food. I try to explain that the money isn't just there, but that it has to be earned.

The other morning as Lee was leaving for work, Connor lovingly looked at him and said, "You don't have to go to work today. I have some money."

"Well, I have to make some money so that we can pay for this house," Lee explained.

"But we already paid for the house," Connor replied.

I eventually got over my anger about the water-sprayer. I let him out of time-out. Connor disappeared to play, and I continued planting flowers. About 45 minutes later Connor came running up to me with a penny.

"Look, Mommy! Look what I have!"

"Wow! Where did you find that?"

"Daddy's car."

"Oh."

Connor's voice became very soft.

"Here, Mommy, you can have it," he said, putting it in my hand.

"Sweetie, I don't want to take your money," I replied.

"Well, you can use it to replace the thing I broke," he stated.

My heart melted. I hugged him and kissed him and returned the penny.

"Don't worry about it," I said.