Mom Confessions
OK, I'm hoping that the title got some people in here, but that you'll all read the post before thinking I'm a monster.
Here's the deal. My 3 year old son has a Tag Jr. He love it- it's pretty much hs favorite toy. I like that he enjoys it because, while we read to him and work on letters, he tends to enjoy being able to sit by himself sometimes and "read".
He knows he's not allowed to play in his cups of water, but he doesn't often have to deal with it because he uses my straw cups most of the time. So I can accept that his self control is a bit unformed about this.
He was playing with his water today and spilled it on the Tag Jr. It won't turn on now, even after I took it apart, made sure it was working, and put it back together (I used to work with circuit boards and electrical components). It worked when I put it together, but I'm thinking something shorted out the board and it's ruined now.
So my dilemma: We got him a book for his Tag Jr for Christmas. Should we take the book back? Should we buy him a new one and replace it without him knowing? Should we replace it after talking to him about it, and make sure he knows that this is why he has to wait a few days to a week to be able to use it again?
I'd appreciate any suggestions you can give me. I don't want to give him a new one for Christmas because he lost it while breaking a rule. On the other hand, I don't want to punish him for a long time because of something he couldn't fully help. So whaddaya think?
EDIT: OK, it didn't occur to me that the "take the book back" thing would seem like a punishment. I just meant should we wait for a while to get him a new one, take the book back, and use the money for a different gift?
We decided to get him a new one. We talked to him about it, explained that it's broken, but we didn't say he was getting a new one. He will, but not for Christmas. We don't really want to make it one of his gifts. We're just going to give him a new (used, actually) one, and talk to him about being careful with his toys again, then the book for Christmas. Then, the new rule will be not to use it in the dining room. Since his food stays in the dining room, it shouldn't be a problem after that. =) Does that seem appropriate?
Replies
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Id get him a new TAG myself. Those are great products. Remind him of what happened to the last one, and why its so important to be careful. -
did he break it deliberately?? i doubt it...don't ruin his first christmas he'll remember by punishing an accident.
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He's three, he doesn't realize actions and cinsequences quite yet. I would get one and give it or Christmas, not having it for a couple weeks may be enough for him to get it.
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That's what I was thinking. I mean, we COULD go get him a different gift and skip the Tag, but we know for sure that he would be over the moon about receiving the book. So if it were you, would you talk to him about it while you replaced it, or would you replace it so he didn't even notice that he had a new one?
Quoting Anonymous:
did he break it deliberately?? i doubt it...don't ruin his first christmas he'll remember by punishing an accident.
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if he can comprehend it, tell him he ruined his other one, he'll get a new one, and make some RULES about it...like, NO food or drink when he uses it. And to use it in a place where food or drink isn't going to be.
Quoting MamaRae85:
That's what I was thinking. I mean, we COULD go get him a different gift and skip the Tag, but we know for sure that he would be over the moon about receiving the book. So if it were you, would you talk to him about it while you replaced it, or would you replace it so he didn't even notice that he had a new one?
Quoting Anonymous:
did he break it deliberately?? i doubt it...don't ruin his first christmas he'll remember by punishing an accident.
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Get him a new tag but see if you can find one on the facebook online yard sale in your area or craigslist first.
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There's no reason to punish him for an honest mistake. Think of how many times you dropped and broke a glass, dish, cell phone, etc. It happens and you feel bad and are more careful the next time. Get him another as soon as you can afford too.
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Thanks, ladies. I didn't really want to punish him if he couldn't help it anyway, but these answers have kind of given me some confirmation. =)
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I don't think 3 year olds should be unsupervised with expensive tech equipment and then blamed when they don't remember a "rule" and ruin it.
So I digress... lol.
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Its not that expensive. I bought my daughter one for Christmas and paid $20. He made a mistake. He is 3.
Quoting AutymsMommy:
I don't think 3 year olds should be unsupervised with expensive tech equipment and then blamed when they don't remember a "rule" and ruin it.
So I digress... lol.