I Could Have Spent One Dollar But Instead I Spent Three
My son started preschool this week, and right before school began we got a list of things he needed to bring in for the classroom. This weekend I took him shopping for the items he needed to bring, and one of them was a package of stickers. I took him to Dollar Tree to find some stickers, and in doing so, found out he had very specific ideas about what kind of stickers he wanted (animals) and what type (large, not small). Because he had such a clear idea beforehand, it turned out that the selection at Dollar tree was inadequate and we ended up having to go to target to buy the stickers. So instead of the $1 I thought I was going to spend on a package of stickers, I spent $3 for ones more to his liking at another store.
But, that was okay. There are times where a lesson in finding the best bargain and using your resources wisely would be an appropriate one, but this time, for this item, for me it wasn’t it. For my son has a very significant speech delay, and although he is four, his level of communication lags more than a year behind his biological age. In fact, that’s why he goes to preschool - he goes to a special education program designed specifically for 3 and 4 year olds with developmental delays (he attended the school last year as well). So for him to come up with this clear vision for what he wanted, and be able to clearly communicate it to me, and make choices between different options, was a big feat all on its own. And a feat I chose to reward. And frugality, after all, is not just about finding what’s cheapest. It’s about finding the best option all around, not only in price but in quality and personal preference. I may not have found anything wrong with the generic stickers at the Dollar Tree but ultimately, they are stickers he’ll have to use in his language book at school and he should have ones he enjoys.
Next week when he helps me shop for snacks for his classroom (they rotate snack weeks and the first week in September is his) we’ll have to have a more stringent budget in place and make choices between items. But for today, I’m just happy we found stickers he approved of, and I understand what he wanted.
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August 25th, 2008 at 7:20 am
What a great story! Doesn’t it kind of stop you in your tracks when they first start acting “adult”? My son’s going-on-five, and he’s starting to come out with interesting words and phrases, like last night he told me on the phone that his daddy was a “silly, silly man”. Love it!
Kudos to your son, for taking that step and hitting that milestone. And hitting momma’s heartstrings.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Excellent! It’s amazing what a different package of stickers may do for the confidence of a kid. I’m sure he also felt like more of a partner during that shopping trip, rather than “just a kid” who has to take what he can get. Good lesson. Thanks!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:43 am
What a terrific accomplishment for your little guy. You are a wise and wonderful Mom!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Your ds sounds just like mine. He’s 4 also and attends a special ed preschool since he’s speech delayed too. It’s his second year and it has made such a difference. He now uses multiple words in his sentences instead of just pointing and saying “eh eh”. My favorite part about special ed preschool is the fact that it is FREE.
I also indulge my son too. He loves his Thomas the Tank Engine trains. So if he sees something and tell me exactly what it is he wants, I just might get it for him if the budget allows it.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Its always a choice of priorities
BTW both my kids had Speech Therapy from early on (3ish). One because of a mechanical issue (Speech Tx for 5 years), the other because of, as we later learned, a significant learning disability (Speech Tx until she was 15). It was a great resource; fast forward 15+ years and both are young adults now and nonstop talkers!
August 25th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
One of Suzie Orman’s mottoes popped into my head when I read your story: “People first, then money, then things.” What a perfect illustration of that idea.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Great story, great blog, thank you.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Progress in communication should always be rewarded
And what joy he will have in using those stickers that he himself picked out for his reward.
The budget can just bend somewhere else for that $2… moments like that are priceless!
Working with my grandson - 1st grade now - with speech also - rewards sure make the learning more fun for him - so yes, I get it!
Happy back to school!
August 26th, 2008 at 12:56 am
A great use of $3! Great story.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:23 am
You must be so proud of the progess that your son has made. Sending him to school on the bus every day from a tiny age is going to be worth it.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Isn’t every new achievement by the children a cause for celebration/ I’m sure these must be the best 2 dollars you’d ever spent. More joy to you and your son !!!
August 26th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
This would have been a great story if it didn’t make you sound like a cheapskate. Really, $2?! This should have been a story about your son’s accomplishments, and instead it was about your budget. Great you have your priorities in order.
August 26th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
skeptic - well, this blog is about money, after all
more about my kids and life at hugtwice.com