Day 120
Not too long ago, a friend of mine took my kids to get ice cream. She came back chuckling and said the quote of the day was from my 6-year old who, when leaving the shop said, “Wow, I got ice cream and THREE free spoons”.
So, while this was funny to my friend, it made perfect sense to me. Spoons are rare and valuable in our house. We didn’t bring that many with us to Colorado and for some reason, the supply is dwindling. There are many times that the kids will actually have to WASH A SPOON to have one to use.
So, the traditional American parent in me feels a little guilty that the kids don’t have everything at their fingertips (I know, I know, it is silly, but I suspect there are many of you that feel the same way). But, on the other hand, I feel somewhat proud that my child has finally recognized scarcity and/or there is not an endless supply of stuff.
For a few brief days, I felt pretty good about it.
Then my parent of the year application experienced a setback, when I realized the same child had found an unacceptable solution to obtaining an item she wanted. Stuffed under her seat in the car, I found a small bag of polished rocks that a few weeks ago she had begged me for at a museum gift shop that we were passing through. I, of course, said no and thought that was that.
Except it wasn’t.
Stolen Goods
I probably did not handle it in textbook fashion. I yelled at her a bit and then I pontificated about ethics and honor which I’m pretty sure sounded like blah, blah, blah to her six-year old ears. Eventually, I think I got a somewhat simpler “right vs. wrong” point across. We also talked about how she couldn’t even enjoy them since she had to keep them hidden. Then, I made her write an apology note and send them back to the museum. Apparently she felt better writing incognito.
What happens at Mardi Gras, stays at Mardi Gras
Here is the finished product that we sent to the museum gift shop with the rocks.
Subtitle: Please, don’t take me to jail.
In the end, she does seem remorseful. My first thought was that my Simple Year project was pushing her to a life of crime and it was all my fault. But, after my husband- always the voice of reason- pointed out he had once stolen a cap gun (and his mother dragged him to the local police station to scare him straight) and I remembered I lifted a Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers (wild cherry flavor) at a local drug store (and didn’t get caught, but to this day, fake cherry smell makes me slightly nauseous); I figured that our project was probably not the root of the problem.
So, rather than blame myself, I’m chalking it up to one of those childhood things and hopefully we can use this as a teaching moment. (Avoiding Incarceration 101)
Oh, my. This is a tough, tough lesson to learn, even tougher to teach…but I bet you made a significant impression. Better now than in a “shoplifters class” demanded by some law and order authority…or worse. Consequences, that’s the big lesson. With you in spirit, as always.
That’s not the only thing your husband stole and luckily he had a little sis to rat him out (whom he proceeded to beat up once released from jail). 🙂 Signed lil sis.
Kelsey just wanted some pretty rocks! Not jail time!
Kerry, I am sitting here reading this to Luke and laughing out loud. She will be fine. I stole many a thing from Walgreens as a child…and from the neighbor. Oh, and from the kindergarten show and tell table. That was the most memorable as I got caught, was sent home with a letter PINNED to my chest, took it off, ripped it to pieces, threw it away in my friend’s garbage can, and later found it taped together on our kitchen table. Totally busted. I turned out all right. At least one likes to think they turned out all right. I did, in fact, just finish a 2 1/2 hour Sunday School teacher training…..Lord, help the children.
What do you think, is it possible that your minimalism might cause your children to become hoarders when they grow up? It seems that in lot of cases of extremes (minimalism or hoarding) people tend to crave for the exact opposite they had in their childhood home.
This seems like a question better asked of an extreme minimalist (or their adult kids) than someone practicing mindful purchasing. I doubt her children are in any danger of hording tendencies.
After reading this blog, I think I may take a stab at a “nothing new” period. I think, like her husband, I draw the line at underwear, so need to get new socks first.
I like the term mindful purchasing. I think it fits us much better than minimalist. Thanks for that phrase, I’m going to use it. -Kerry
Just found your blog off an old Josh Becker post and have been devouring it. If we’re confessing, I too, lifted a Bonnie Bell Lip smacker. Mom hauled me back to the store though, in tears, to return it. 🙂