Do you make your teen pay for lost items?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course! And if we go out to eat as a family and she wants anything other than one entree and water, she has to put it on her own bill. One time she forgot to bring her wallet so we told the restaurant she'd stay and wash dishes. They wouldn't accept that because she was only 13 and actually offered to comp her Coke but that's not how kids learn so we made her walk home. We followed her in our car to make sure she didn't call anyone for a ride or hitchhike. Now she never forgets her wallet!

What the actual F…

[Anonymous]

No, we would only do that if it was a chronic problem.

[Anonymous]

No, but I would replace it with a used one if could. Doesn't sound like she is typically irresponsible.

[Anonymous]

Everyone makes mistakes. If not a pattern, I would not make her replace it.

I recently heard about an adult who, in their budgeting for the year, includes a “s*** happens” line item to account for the occasional lost item, late fee, change fee, etc.. This seemed like an excellent strategy to acknowledge 1) no one is perfect and 2) there is a limit to how much you should be spending on this before it becomes an issue. I could see this being applied for kids, as well.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

It’s not like she’s asking you to replace her Stanley Cup or something she doesn’t need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course! And if we go out to eat as a family and she wants anything other than one entree and water, she has to put it on her own bill. One time she forgot to bring her wallet so we told the restaurant she'd stay and wash dishes. They wouldn't accept that because she was only 13 and actually offered to comp her Coke but that's not how kids learn so we made her walk home. We followed her in our car to make sure she didn't call anyone for a ride or hitchhike. Now she never forgets her wallet!

What the actual F…

You can't recognize satire, huh? Life must be confusing for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PPs, if she was losing it regularly, yes I'd have her pay for the replacement. One time or very rarely? I'd cover the cost.

+1 NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PPs, if she was losing it regularly, yes I'd have her pay for the replacement. One time or very rarely? I'd cover the cost.

+1.