Clash over Cash

One of the things Adam is learning about in school is money. Well, I decided apply some of that training to a trip to the mall. As we were walking to his new favorite source for YuGiOh cards, Newbury Comics, I gave Adam a $10 bill and told him that that was all we were going to spend.

 

Well, Adam didn't just want $10 worth of cards, he wanted an additional $19.99 deck. I showed the price to Adam and said, "Uh oh Adam, you only have $10." Well, he put the $10 into his pocket and said "Dad - $19." When I did not give in, he melted into stomps and tears until I said "do you want to put all these back?" That held him until we were walking out of the store with the two packages he could afford. But he wasn't done negotiating. On the way out of the store, Adam angrily pushed away the packages, "Goodbye Cards!" So I said, "Okay. Adam's in time-out. Good bye cards."and hid them away in the bag. Well, he had a melt down. I told him that Adam had made Dad angry and sad and that Adam would get no cards until he was sorry and good again. He cried and stomped all the way to the car " I'm Mad!"

On the way home, I ran into a bank to make deposit. When I got back, Adam, face still filled with tears, showed me what he had written down. "Adam - I'm Sad". I told him that Daddy was sad too. I ask him if he was sorry and he said "I'm sorry." I said, "No more time-out" And I gave him the cards.

He has been good for the rest of the day.... Whew...