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Rude Awakenings
Learning the Value of Money By Linda Sharp
One of the many joys of being a parent is having a front-row seat for the growth and development of another human being. There is an inborn excitement in watching your progeny learn to make their first smile, take their first steps. As they grow older, you revel in their mastery of the alphabet and beam proudly as they read to you.
Some of their discoveries, although necessary, are not quite as enchanting to watch. For example, when one of my daughters discovered the finger painting capabilities and limitations of the contents in her diaper. (Note: It is easier to repaint the walls than clean them.) Or when my oldest child got her first love note at school, only to be disappointed when it was not from the object of her affection. (Note: mocha chip ice cream can cure a broken heart at the age of 8.) And take the universal one that all children simply must find out for themselves: That you really can get your fingers caught when you play slam the doors with your siblings. (Note: Keep a second carton of Mocha chip on hand for medicinal purposes such as swelling and tear-induced hunger.)
Yet beyond all of these, I got to view one of the greatest spectator sports of parenting this past weekend. I was on the 50-yard line of life when my children finally learned the value of a dollar. (And as far as entertainment value goes, these seats were worth more than any being hawked for the Super Bowl or a Hilary Duff concert.)
Each daughter received a $25 Target gift card in their stockings this past Christmas. As we surveyed Mount Excess, erected by Santa and his helpers (aka: the grandparents), we figured the last thing these children needed was to run out to the store and buy more, so the gift cards quietly disappeared to a secured area in my bedroom.
Not secure enough.
The youngest came to the kitchen Friday night clutching them and grandly announcing that "I found these in your bra drawer, and it is time to go spend this stuff." Fine, as we had no plans for Saturday, and fine descriptive of their behavior of late bra drawer pilfering not withstanding.
