A tough lesson in Life
Jan – April are the times for birthdays in my family. It includes everyone but the youngest in the smarmiest cash grab you have ever seen. All of the things that were not successfully vied for from Santa are requested from mom and dad and the host of grandparents that my children are lucky enough to have. Add this to the birthday party grabs and well, there is really no need to purchase toys for the rest of the year.
Unless your younger brother gets a better gameboy than you.
I feel terrible for Liam. Understand though – in my opinion it is not about the gameboy. Frankly, my kids need another electronic device like the need a hole in the head. It is just that it is hard to watch the apparent agony that Liam is going through. I am pretty sure there is physical pain there.
So, as parents, we decided that Liam could work to save the money for the same game boy as Aiden. Aiden’s was used and purchased through a chain in Canada called Electronic Boutique (EBGames). At the time of purchase, it was $29.99 Cdn. Liam has rifled through his pennies and done his jobs (and scammed his aunt into giving him $10), to the point that last night he had $30 to his name. We agreed to pay the tax.
Imagine my horror when we got there and were told that Aiden’s had been purchased on sale. We did not know. The price is actually $39.99 and Liam did not have enough money. Despite the quivering lip and the anger on his part, he maintained composure and resorted to the only other option. He begged. Hard.
However, the sixteen year old clerk and his father did not give in. Liam will be forced to do another week or so of hard labour. Or coerce his aunt into giving him another $10. My bets are on the aunt.
NB – note to all grandparents. I will hunt you down if I find any cards in the mail directed to Liam.
Unless your younger brother gets a better gameboy than you.
I feel terrible for Liam. Understand though – in my opinion it is not about the gameboy. Frankly, my kids need another electronic device like the need a hole in the head. It is just that it is hard to watch the apparent agony that Liam is going through. I am pretty sure there is physical pain there.
So, as parents, we decided that Liam could work to save the money for the same game boy as Aiden. Aiden’s was used and purchased through a chain in Canada called Electronic Boutique (EBGames). At the time of purchase, it was $29.99 Cdn. Liam has rifled through his pennies and done his jobs (and scammed his aunt into giving him $10), to the point that last night he had $30 to his name. We agreed to pay the tax.
Imagine my horror when we got there and were told that Aiden’s had been purchased on sale. We did not know. The price is actually $39.99 and Liam did not have enough money. Despite the quivering lip and the anger on his part, he maintained composure and resorted to the only other option. He begged. Hard.
However, the sixteen year old clerk and his father did not give in. Liam will be forced to do another week or so of hard labour. Or coerce his aunt into giving him another $10. My bets are on the aunt.
NB – note to all grandparents. I will hunt you down if I find any cards in the mail directed to Liam.
posted by y-vonne at 12:00 PM
3 Comments:
There are a lot less painful things in life to watch... Like getting an arm set in plaster. I will wisely wait.
I was thinking about this and an interesting thought came to mind. Does being born second mean that you are always second best? How does a 2nd get to feel 1st...never by age, sometimes not by stature, ususally never by living experiences first and usually not by getting things first. Even brains don't figure in much cause the age gap blurrs it all anyway. And looks are so subjective. If there is a difference of gender it is sometimes easier to assure the 2nd a place in the sun. A 3rd is seldom in competition with a 1st cause there is no threat there to the pecking order. Now a 2nd and a 3rd is another question. Is it sometimes an OK thing that the 1st not be 1st all the time. What are the benefits to all parties, what longterm lessons learned?
Hey you said no money sent...next time you might add, no comments either:)
We grapple with stuff like this too, with our boys 23 months apart. It is unbelievable how competitive brothers are! I think it is a good lessons, that Liam is having to work hard and save money to get the treasured gameboy. And hopefully Aiden also understands that even though his brother will eventually have the same gameboy... he had it FIRST!
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