Another one joins the flock (Part II)

[Mike85]

No worries about me overcompensating (at least most of the time).

I crack up some of the older folks near me in stores when one of my kids grabs some toy or comic book and says they want it.

I almost invariably ask: "Hey, that's great - did you bring your money?"

If the kid responds with "No" or "I don't have any money," then I say "Well, I guess you've got a problem then, sport... maybe you need to work and earn some." Then we just keep moving along.

The kids have started realizing that with mommy gone, although we're not broke by any means, we're having to watch our money better. The oldest has watched me paying bills and come with me to the bank. He's heard me canceling unnecessary stuff (like daily newspapers - just get the Sunday one, and that's mostly for coupons) and getting books from the library instead of buying them. I think it's a good lesson for him. Of course, he sees mommy and OM buying a boat, a dog, wakeboarding supplies...I wonder what lesson he's getting there.

Sort of on the same subject, I've managed to drop our grocery bills by buying stuff the kids will actually eat. I never understood wife's urge to spend hours making marinated chicken, herb-roasted potatoes, green beans almondine...for two young kids that would rather wolf down sloppy joes, french fries and corn. Buying in bulk ain't pretty, but it's feeding us healthy food cheaply.

Chalk up home economics to something else I've had to learn courtesy of wife's mlc.

Edit: My oldest kid just turned around and asked me if I wanted to play a boardgame he just MADE HIMSELF. Wow. The kid used to live for GameCube and online stuff, and he spent the last hour or so drawing a board, pieces, and writing out rules.