As we walked home from school, my younger son talked non-stop. He said something about getting $20 at school. I thought he was talking nonsense, until he produced a $20 bill from his backpack. With the help of my older son, I got the story about how he came to be in possession of this kind of money.
My younger son and his friend, “G”, were talking about a book my son recently ordered from the Scholastic magazine. His friend asked if he could have the book, and my younger son told him he could – as soon as he had an iPod Touch. “G” told him, “those are expensive, you’re gonna need this,” and gave him the money.
Sweet gesture, but I knew my son couldn’t keep it. I called “G’s mom. As soon as I mentioned $20, she told me that she had the money on the counter and wondered where it went. The money was for an animal rescue, specifically to help with vet care for an injured dog, which was “G’s” charity of choice.
Once the money was returned to its rightful owner, we talked about the situation. I reassured my son he wasn’t in trouble, but explained that he shouldn’t accept money from friends. He stood by his argument of, “But I didn’t ask for it, he just gave it to me.”
My younger son doesn’t see the problem, but one day, I think he’ll understand. His friend, “G” has a caring heart and I hope it’s not stolen away by kids who’ll take advantage of his kindness.
Speaking of friendships, I’ve been looking forward to what is becoming an annual sleepover at my best friend’s house. Yes, I know, I’m a little (okay, a lot) too old for that, but it makes sense, really.
This weekend, she lost her husband to Fantasy Football (don’t worry, it’s only temporary, although it does relapse every year around this time :)) Since we live over an hour apart from each other, we don’t get to visit in person very often. So, when we do see each other, we have lots of catching up to do. This is why we do the overnight stay.
I hope you have a safe Labor Day weekend. I’ll catch up on blog reading on the Monday holiday, but for now, I’m offline, sharing the necessities with my friend:
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
JannaTWrites 
So sweet of G! I’m glad it worked out in the end – a lesson learnt (and not as easy one as money is always hard to refuse).
And I’m glad you have the prospect of fun movies and chocolate (those brownies look fantastic!). Cheers to good friendship 🙂
Yeah, that was sweet of him. I hope he didn’t get in trouble for taking that much money to school. We did have fun (well, after we got the tire fixed on her husband’s car.) Today, it’s back to getting stuff done around the house! Glad you stopped by, GodGirl!
Oh, it’s Labor Day weekend? Since I retired I don’t even remember anymore. The disadvantage is that you get to have glaucoma, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, white hair and a poor memory to get to enjoy it.
If I didn’t work, I wouldn’t know what day of the week it was, Carl. As it stands, I keep a very close eye on the calendar 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Glad your story about son #2 ended all right — I can remember something like that happening when I was a kid. I like to think it didn’t harm any of us unnecessarily! Enjoy your break and have a chocolate for me!
I had enough chocolate for three people, Debbie. I’m feeling much better, though my jeans are a little tight 😦 I think everything ended up okay with the boys. I just hope my son doesn’t avoid telling me if he does get money again.
That sounds like such a great time. Enjoy your slumber party! Have a brownie for me!
I think I got several people covered on the brownie front. We also bought Reese’s peanut butter ice cream treats. (Dinner, breakfast and snack the next day!) Thanks for dropping by, Patti!
Have a great sleepover!
It was fun, Widdershins. Hubby had the kids, so they got boy bonding time 🙂
Lovely story – lesson kids have to learn gently. You hope they get the idea but maintain the kindness. Gain perspective, but hold friendship.
It’s tough
No harm done in this situation, I think. The rescue got their money and I hope my son learned to EARN his own money 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Phil….always nice to read your comments.
Those brownies look sinfully delicious! You can sleep over here if you bring those with you.
Hahaha! If that’s all it took, it would sure save on hotel costs 🙂 The brownies were good – dark chocolate fudge. Thanks for stopping by and enjoying the picture, Jeanne – no calories, gained in that 🙂
What a sweet post. That sleepover sounds like fun. 🙂
Thanks, Imelda. The sleepover was fun – we ate lots of junk food and watched comedy DVDs. Now it’s back to normal!
you did hear about the guy that traded the paperclip for the house, I’m just saying there are possibilities…
Ooh, I didn’t hear about that, Jeanne. I’d much rather have brownies than a paperclip, so maybe it could work, if others feel the same way 🙂
“G” is so sweet and generous – and pure of heart. Here’s hoping their friendship flourishes strong.
Sleepover…Wow! (In a nice way)
They were friends last year, as well. As long as they’re in the same class, friendship is easy. The sleepover was lots of fun. Today was full of laundry, reading with the kiddos and making sure they did some of their homework. So glad to have an extra day to get it all done! Thanks for stopping by, Eric 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful sleepover! Sounds like lots of fun!
I would have returned the money as well. Just can’t keep that kind of gift in good conscience, even if it’s from a good-hearted kid. The things kids do! 🙂
It was fun, Sandra. I left my movies on accident, so we’ll have to plan to meet up again soon 🙂 Keeping the money was never an option. First graders don’t usually have $20 on them, so I knew there must be a reason. Thanks for stopping by, Sandra!
They must be very good friends, your younger son and G. 🙂 Both are very sweet!
Maybe in their young minds, they are starting to recognize the essence of friendship. G simply approached the apparent situation with creative innocence, while your son accepted the precious “thoughtful” gift because it came from a friend he trusts. If G was a stranger, your son may not have accepted the offer even if it’s 200. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this very sweet story of friendship! 🙂
They’ve been friends for two years now, Sojourner. I’m not sure if my son would’ve accepted money from a stranger or not (that’s what worries me a bit.) He discovered his talent for obtaining money a couple months ago when he offered to trade his Grandma his $1 for a $20 bill. Grandma gave him the $20 because my son wanted it to take the family out to dinner (which is exactly what he did.) I guess he figured getting money is just that easy! (No, I’m not going to dress him up and place him on the corner with a sign, in case you’re wondering :))
I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this post!
Lol! 🙂 quite effective! Both of them are highly creative (in different ways).
He might be in the process of developing—very early in life ha! :-)—the art of persuasion, I think. I’m sure you are not going to punish him for that, because that very situation (the kid is in the process of discovery) requires more loving (and slow) guidance than scolding…
Oh, he trusts his grandma as well…reason why he accepted the $20. 🙂 grandma is family, right? 🙂
By the way, I liked your story so much that I gave you 5 stars for it.
Thanks again Janna!
Arnold:-)
Well, if he’s developing the art of persuasion, it could go one of two ways: in 40 years, he could be President, or in considerably fewer years, he could be sweet-talking his way out of jail after a ponzi scheme went wrong. Neither one seems appealing, so I’ll throw in a third possibility: He’ll be an honest, but broke, man because his grandchildren took after him and have talked him out of his last $20 🙂
Your comment makes me wonder if I gave a stranger $20 to offer him, if my son would take it.
Wait a second, give a stranger 20 bucks? They’d probably pocket it and leave.
It seems I have trust issues 🙂
Thanks for the five stars and your comment, which made me laugh. Have a good evening (or morning, depending where in the world you are!)
Hope you had a lovely sleepover. 😀
It was fun, but I’m back to real life now 🙂 We’ll have to meet up again though, because I left my DVDs at her house!