I am really angry. I don't know who to be angry with. I guess I am just mad in all general directions. If you are still reading, here is the story. . . .The day that Jeff lost his job, we got a letter from the high school band letting us know about the spring trip. The temporary itinerary included things like Disney World, Wet and Wild theme park and The Blue Man Group. Four fun filled days in the sun of Florida for my 16 year old and his band geek friends.
Jeff and I were both in the band and we know how awesome the spring trips can be. I went to Florida, Myrtle Beach, Montreal, and Atlanta each year of my high school experience. I LOVED the spring trips. So of course I wanted my son to have the same rights of passage that I enjoyed in my youth. However, the cost of the trip was about $500 for the parents to pony up. I told Sam that we would commit to the trip but that he would have to work to defray some of the cost. The boy has done NOTHING. AND I found out this week that because he didn't participate in the citrus fundraiser, there was a buy out cost of an additional $160.00. So on top of the $400 that I have already paid, I got a notice that the trip has increased in cost and I owe an additional $465 by the beginning of next month.
Who should I be mad at? Well, I am mad at myself for not putting the screws to my son. I did make him apply for 2 jobs which he never followed up on. I am mad at my son for having seemingly no ambition. I am mad at the band for making such an expensive band trip and then forcing families to participate in the fundraisers or have a $160 buy out fee. Now, I don't know what to do. I guess I'll be mad for a bit. If you have any suggestions on how best to use this opportunity to teach my son a lesson about responsibility, let me know.
It definitely seems like there's got to be a way for you to stick to your word and for him to have the good experience.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a loan he has to repay you with interest--a real life lesson about credit and responsibility.
Or maybe he can just get creative and start earning money quickly [don't ask me how] to come up with some portion of the cost?
Whatever you decide...good luck! That's one of those sticky parenting choices.
PS There's some really good stuff about this kind of thing in the March Ensign.
Maybe he should just miss the trip....GASP I know don't shoot me. But how better to learn this little life lesson than to miss out on one of the greatest opportunities of his lifetime because he wouldn't help work for it? The kids will all come back and rave about it and maybe it will kick his behind in gear for next year. I am saying this as we are going through similar things with BriAnna and EFY. While I want desperately for her to have that experience she won't help pitch in and earn her own money...even just $100! Instead she blew $25 on nails! So although I hate hate hate that she is going to miss out this year, we are now going to work a little harder for next year.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I forgot to put in my earlier post is that if I tell him he can't go, I lose the $400 I have already paid and I stick the band with the remainder of the cost. Sticky situation.
ReplyDelete