I don't know whether to be mad or glad.

I'm so sorry the money was lost :( That made for a difficult moment between you and your son because of course you were upset that money you really needed was gone... and your son clearly knew he'd let you down. Even if they don't always show it, it's pretty hard for a child to deal with disappointing a parent. I've read that it's more difficult for a child to hear words like "You disappointed me" than to have a parent raise their voice in anger. Kids genuinely do want our approval... and your son showed that he recognized his irresponsibility with the money by going to look for it. What you might have done in this case was to have gone WITH him and looked for the lost money together. That way, he would see that, even though you were upset, you were willing to work with him to try to resolve the situation... and, in doing so, you wouldn't have been worried about his safety.

Initially, I would be upset about it, especially if that was all I had, but things happen. I have to deal with my husband's irresponsibilites and he is an adult. We are on a tight budget, he doesn't necessarily lose the money, but he spends it. If I do not have change and gives him a twenty dollar bill for the day, if he does not need gas for the car, I am expecting him to have money at the end of the day. He is the type who will spend it because he has it, not thinking that he needs money the next day. Do not be too hard on your son, I am sure he feels bad enough, and things do happen. Evidently he is a responsible child, since you have done this with him before. I am sure he feels really bad about this.

well honestly i think it's an honest mistake. sure i would be upset as well. but try not to take it out on him too much. things like this happen. it's not like he made a concious decision to do something bad. and he tried to make it right by going back out. i know it's hard when you don't have much money to begin with but try not to let it get to you too much. take care

I probably would have had the same reaction. Been mad, then scared then glad. I think though that you are lucky. I know more than a few kids who wouldn't have cared to take the time to go and look for the money. Often it is taken for granted. I am sure he will be more careful from now on. Money is tight. Seeing how upset you were he may have learned a hard lesson quickly.

When mom's get worried about their kids in a situation like that, of course they get mad. But you have to give him credit for going back to look for it. He obviously understood it's importance (and so many kids don't!) and wanted to make good on his mistake. A good life lesson for him and frankly, after I lightly slapped him upside the head for staying out so long, and then hugging him until he squealed, I'd have been damn proud of him!

To err is human, to forgive divine. I wouldn't say I would have reacted otherwise as only when rubber hits the road we'll truly know what we're made of. Just let him know that mom still loves him, that's what matters most as money lost can be earned back

Well of course its a normal reaction to get frustrated about his actions. But I guess he never intended it to be lost so for now what can we do about it is just to forgive him so doing it. I think next time you should do the buying yourself to prevent this kind of incidents. Right now I guess you should be more glad that he is back safe from you and you should not forgive him and let him be free from bothering his conscience now that he has done his best to recover it.

Oh my... i can feel how your son felt... this happened to me when i was young... and i can still hear my mother's angry voice... that was the time when we were in deep financial trouble... and every centavo counts... since then... i always kept the money given to me with all care... It is but natural to get angry... but don't put a lot of blame on your son... at least the money got lost and not him...

I probably would have reacted the same way. But it would be hard to me mad at him for being out looking for the money he lost. It sounds like it was really just an honest mistake and he was only trying to do the right thing. Sounds like you've got a good kid there. Glad to know he's home safe.

Hi Kbourgerie, it's just alright to feel upset, losing some amount for a short while is so painful in the pocket. Being mad or angry with your kid would not even give you the money back but of course, it still nice to tell your son what you feel about the money you gave him. It also nice to explain why you feel bad about the money lost. I know he will understand and the next time you send him to get something for you, he will be very careful. Nice to see you again at mylot Kbourgerie! Smiles, JNY

Anger at that point of time is quite natural. You tend to loose your temper when your son behave like this. You really need to keep your cool at such point of time. It is really nice that he is back home and just apologise for your ill behavior. I think he will understand and feel better also.

I don't have the opportunity because my son was just 2 year old. He never went for shopping, but when ever I go home he will look my hand that shows he is always expecting dad have bought something to me. I don't know is this characteristics will create positive impact or negative impact on him in the future.

It's unfair of you to expect your son to be more responsible than he can be. He's a kid, kids are irresponsible, that's just the way it is. First thing, I would never give my child any more money than I believed he or she could handle (I wouldn't even give my 18-year-old $20 to go to the store for me, he's not responsible enough). Second, if the money was that important, I would have gone to the store myself to make sure it stayed safe. Third, depending on the age of the child, I would never send my kid to the store with that much money regardless of ability to be responsible; even less than a block away, a kid carrying that much money would become a target for predators. If you knew you shouldn't have taken that money out of the bank, you shouldn't have done it. It's unfair to your son for you to expect him to be more responsible with your money than you are. You could have just as easily gone to the store and paid for the bags with a debit card and not had to worry about having the money in hand to lose. Parent to parent, I think you owe your son an apology. That was too much pressure to put on a kid. Your son was so disheartened by seeing you upset that he went back out and put himself through the ringer to find that money for you; he wanted to do whatever he could to please you and make you happy again. If you get mad at your son, you're telling him that that money is more important to you than him and his feelings. I'm sure he already feels bad enough he lost the money (his trek back out into the streets to find it should be evidence of that). Making him feel worse about it isn't going to do anyone any good; all it's going to do is break your son's heart worse than it already is. Next time you send your son to the store for something, be mindful of his abilities and the fact that he's a kid. It'll fare better for everyone.

in my mind.safety first. you should rejoice,because your children is safe . as a child,i think parents shoule be deeply concerned about yours child.

I don't even trust my 18-year-old with $20 of my money. But glad your son was alright even though the money was lost. I'm sure someone found it before he got back to it. I guess it was a lesson learned. Although it was a difficult one on your part maybe you have seen now that he isn't quite as responsible as you had previous thought.

I am so sorry to hear that. I am sorry that he lost your twenty dollars too. I am also glad that he is safe. I know it upset the both of you. I would have handled it the same way as you also.

Awwww. That must be hard for you to found out. I'm sure everyone has a similar response. Your child seems to be very responsible but this time he accidently lost the money. Ooops! Perhaps you can spend some of your myLot money to help you at? So did anyone ever buy those trash bags or were you unable to do that? I'm sure you both understand each other....why you were mad and why he tried to go look for the money & why you got worried. I don't have any children so I don't have any type of such situation. Cheers Pablo

Aww Kat..now i know what happened..First i'm so glad he's ok and i understand you are now going to be short of money but please don't worry over that..your Son is fine and things could have gotten worse if he was what was missing...not the money.. Now when do you have to pay any bills? or are any due? if not just try to live off what you have till the end of the week or get those cheap soups so you won't go hungry and let me know if you do need a loan ok.. I know you are worried over the money but Hun..its gone and just be glad some harm didn't come to him.. Huggs and lots of love

I guess your son is going to learn from this experience and would take care of the money or anything the next time you ask him to grab something for you from the store. It is always important that kids knows the value of money so that they grow responsible of their finances. That is so sweet of him going out to look of the money may it be you ask him to do it for he made an extra mile to really search for it. I know how bad it may feeling losing something that you are in need of but they child safety would always matter the most. Thew most important thing is that your some learned a lesson today.

Glad to see you're still up and kicking on this thing, Kbourg. It's been at least a year. Anywho, first and foremost, don't buy garbage bags from the dollar store. I know it's cheap, but they are cheap. After my last roll with it, I realized they were only strong enough to hold toilet paper and that's about it. You did much better with your son than I would have with mine. Children do not understand the imporatance of money or the value. Even if they earn it themselves, I've noticed it slips through their little hands quicker than it does mine. My son got $10 for his birthday and went to the gas station and blew it all right there. I was upset because here I am, watching every penny that I get and he goes and blows it on candy and stuff. So much for that. My boyfriend assures me to let him be a kid. I'm sidetracking, aren't I? Yes, I would be mad and glad all at the sametime. *Pleiades