Lessons I Don't like to Teach

It was a moment of thoughtlessness. Carelessness.

But he did something he knows he is not supposed to do, and the result was a badly torn library book.

It would have been easiest for me to holler, lecture, and take away some small privilege. But as I drew in a deep breath to begin berating him, I realized that wasn't going to be a good consequence, or any real consequence at all. He knows me. He knows the storms blow over quickly and then everything is good again. No biggie.

It would also have been easy--but an incredibly bad example--to just quietly return the book and hope they didn't find the torn pages. Perusing the library shelves, it's obvious that plenty of people do that.

Instead I told him to go to his money jar and get $5 out. About 1/3 of his life savings, there.

When we go to the library this week, he will present the book and the $5 with an explanation and an apology. I don't know if the librarians will take the money, or give him a reprieve. But I know that I want him to understand this:

For family and society to function well, we have to be considerate of other people's property. Most especially when it is freely lent to us. Failing that, we must make reparations where we have caused damage.

And while he learns this lesson, I will be watching with angst-riddled heart. Hoping that the lesson sticks while the price is a piddling $5.