UCB Parents Advice about Teenagers
Teen Keeps Losing Things
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In the past six months my son (16) has lost a very nice watch given to him
as a gift, his pager and just in the last couple days another sweatshirt.
In my irritation over this I feel that I want to stop buying him things
until he gets responsible about owning them - not the most rational response
probably. Any suggestions?
In reply to the mom whose son keeps losing things, I disagree with you. I think
not buying him things until he stops losing them is a very rational response.
Letting him get along without the things he loses and/or letting him buy his
own replacements (even cheap watches work for awhile) seems like an
appropriate response. Both of my daughters lost things - one still does,
regularly. At 18 she is now responsible for keeping track of her own things and
replacing them - if she wants to. It hasn't improved her "lose rate" noticeably,
but it's removed the irritation for me very efectively! Good luck!
Sue
Actually, the most rational response to a 16 year old who loses things is
not buy him or her anything more to lose. Let them earn their own money
and observe whether they can hold on to their hard-earned purchases. It's
irresponsible of a parent to feed a child's irresponsibility and very
rational to let them know that you don't have deep pockets to continually
replace their "things." If they lose something, they weren't meant to keep
it. In this way, perhaps they'll learn to live with less and enjoy life
more. (And if he's forgetful no matter what you do, maybe your son is a
free spirit whose spirit doesn't want material things--a metaphysical
thought there). Anyway, keep your sanity and sense of humor by not buying
into it--he won't freeze, he won't go without shoes and food, even if he
loses all of those things (he probably has more shoes, food and clothes
than he needs).
--anonymous parent with a child like that for awhile.
Why is it not a rational response to stop buying things for a 16
year-old who loses them? I think that is the ONLY appropriate
response, short of stapling them to him. Its easier not to lose a
pager he paid for himself, and 16 is plenty old enough to be earning
some money...either via extra work at home, or outside. Good luck,
I'm only a year or two behind you in this.
Heather
I think that is a VERY reasonable response. And in fact, if he hasn't already
been given ongoing responsbility for paying for some of his own clothes and
"toys" he should by now. I will pay up to what I consider a reasonable amount
for new clothes for my 11 year old, BUT if he wants more expensive wear then
he has to find a way to make $ for 25% of the cost (ie. if he wants $80 sneakers,
he has to save up at least $20) or I'll take him to find "styles" at the thrift
shop. Also, I buy him computer games, etc. from time to time, but if he wants
more, again he has to save $.
My son can wash cars, cut grass, walk dogs, help clean out garages, etc. I stake
him to rags, buckets, a manual mower, etc. At 16, your son can babysit, help a
neighbor clean house, probably run errands (if he drives), or save some of his
allowance, if he gets one (I do think that a regular after school job takes away
from academics - a regular weekend job is probably okay). I think taking on
this type of responsibility is good for kid's charactors. It teaches an
appreciation for $ = work and the "value" of things(which is sometimes lost on
kid's that have everything "handed" to them), it makes kids better consumers
(are those $80 sneakers really worth it?), it encourages self-discipline (saving $
toward a goal) and it gives them a sense of self-esteem (achieving the
goal). My husband and I also involve our kids (including the 6 year old to
some degree) in household bill paying. We talk about what we have to pay for
and g! en! erally how much we have to pay. We talk about mortages, interest
payments, credit cards, and how banks, etc. are in the business of making $ off
of you.
Most of our kids are going to have to work and support themselves someday, so
I think giving them a sense of monetary responsibility EARLY is an
important part of parenting (that is sometimes forgotten by us that have
worked hard so that we CAN give to our kids).
Karen
My daughter is the exact same way. She's 16 and just recently lost a brand
new jacket purchased for school this year. My suggestion, and this has
been working for my daughter, is make them financially responsible for the
items they lose. If your son gets an allowance or he has a job, make him
replace every item he's lost with something comparable in value.
Teenagers nowadays have far more material things than we had at their age
and these items come to them far easier. They do not appreciate, cherish,
or value their belongings because they have so much and they do not have to
pay for them. Teenagers have to understand that every time they lose
something, it costs somebody something. However, if they have to miss a
few dances, or trips to the mall, or a couple of movies, or if they have to
forgo the purchase of a new CD or video game until they've replaced that
item they will begin to take better care of them, because now they are the
ones who have to suffer the consequences of their carelessness. This is
called "taking responsibility". My daughter still loses things, however,
she doesn't lose as much and she hates having to replace items with her own
money. She's very frugal with her own money but the sky's the limit with
mine. I've been doing this for a year and the aforementioned jacket is the
only thing I've purchased that she has lost. If she loses or destroys
anything she has purchased with her own money, I don't get bent out of
shape because the loss is hers. But if she loses something that I have
purchased or loses a gift she received from anyone else, I make her replace
it with her own funds. My favorite line to say to her each time is
this: "Every time someone purchases something for you, they forgo the
purchase of something else for themselves, and you will honor and respect
their sacrifice."
I hope this works for you.
Kimberly
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