A Tough Lesson

J learned a tough lesson this week- and I think it might have been harder on Mark & I than him.

Each day at preschool the kids have "jobs."  They include leader, snack helper, calendar, and book & buddy.  Book & Buddy is a cool job- there are several sets of themed books with accessories that go along with them.  J's favorite is the bear book that comes with a teddy bear- but last week he brought home the dinosaur set.

And that's where the trouble began.  Because the backpack that held the books and toys was left outside.  In the rain.  For the entire weekend.

The books were ruined. 

We informed Jacob that because he had left the books out they were now ruined, and we would have to replace them.  Which was fine with him... until we told him we would use his allowance.

There were tears.  There were theatrics.  But at the end of the day the fact remained that the books were ruined and they would have to be replaced.  J agreed that they had to be replaced- just not with his allowance money.  That was being saved up to buy legos!

We both felt really bad about being so insistent that he take responsibility.  But as I looked out in the backyard at the wasteland of toys, a Gator, and the super special digger with a trailer that Santa brought I didn't feel so bad.  J is clearly a child that does not take care of his toys.

And unfortunately, this was a hard lesson to learn.