Funny Money

We ran into a funny situation because of Hannah this weekend. We had some money on the steps to the second floor that was from the garage sale. Not FU money but a good chunk of the cash we could use in Costa Rica. I used some of it to pay for the pizza delivered and tip the driver. I know I am absent minded when I get out of my routine but I firmly recall putting the cash on the living room table. Moving along towards bedtime Julie asked me, “Hey have you seen the garage sale money that was on the stairs?” “Hmmm, I put it on the table after I paid.” I said. We spent the next ten minutes racking our brains and searching for it. I retraced my steps, I looked in likely places that I habitually put things when I am tidying up. Nothing. Then Julie said, “Do you think Hannah did something with it?” We asked her, “Hannah did you take the money from the garage sale?” “No.” She said. However, I remembered that we have been treated money more like a toy than a tool around her. I give her change and dollars and she puts them in her purses and pocketbooks. Look, its a fun game… When I went up to her room and opened the door I laughed out loud. She had taken down a basked of toys and put all the money on there. As I gathered it I looked in her pink pocket book. SHe had placed two twenty’s in there, probably as emergency cash. Whew, my relief was palatable - who wants to be responsible for losing money even small amounts? The situation made me wonder about our approach to teaching her about money. On one hand collecting and creating money IS a game and we all have to have to play it in one league or another. On the other hand when your three and a half your sense of responsibility still needs time to develop. Since we didn’t make a big deal about it I doubt she understands the concerns Julie and I had. All she knew was that an object was missing and it was important to Mama and Papa. What is the best way to show her that there is a difference between play money and real money but the game of creating and managing money is still a game even when it’s real money and you are big? Letting her buy stuff and manage small amounts that we give her is a good start. Putting the excess change that accumulates into her piggy bank is also a good activity.