Lending Money To School Friends
The boy's school had cross country run last Saturday which was a school day in replacement of one of the CNY holidays.
At the canteen after the run, his ex-classmate (now in different class) came up to him and asked for a ringgit so that he could get a drink from the canteen. This boy told my boy his father forgot to give him pocket money for the day. This was the same boy who always borrowed money from my boy when they were in the same class to buy some cute stationeries and what-nots from the school bookshop.
My boy, on the other hand is very careful with his spending. I give him pocket money of RM10 every week, used to be given RM2 on a daily basis but I want to see how he manages his money. On days when I make him lunch boxes, he will not bring any money to school. On days when I don't pack him anything, he will put RM1 into his wallet.
Sometimes I do feel there's only a fine line between thrifty and stingy. I don't want him to grow up a person with no compassion for others. I have been drumming into his head the importance of money management skills since he was very young and I hope my hardwork won't backfire. LOL...
So, here our conversation goes...
Mom: You should have lent him the money. I feel bad thinking the boy had to go without any water after the run. Imagine yourself in his shoes...
Son: Errr. But then, mom, didn't you tell me not to lend him money as he will spend them all at the bookshop? I am confused la..
Mom: You may want to buy a bottle of water from the canteen and give it to him to avoid the problem?
Son: But then, what if he says he wouldn't drink water and only wanted sweet drinks?
Mom: The problem is no longer yours then. It's his and you can keep the water to yourself. You have tried your best to help him, right?
Son: Yes, right! But then hor, what if he doesn't return my money?
Mom: It's okay. Take it as a lesson learned lor, you can afford to lose the RM1, right?
Son: Yes, but then hor, my money would have wasted lo..
Mom: -_-
Do you allow your kids to lend money to his school mates?
posted by Inspired Momx1 @ 2:53 PM
7 Comments:
have not encounter this yet...well...I guess its good also that Ian know how to say no to his friend. At east he wont be taken advantage of. DOnt think he is stingy but rather he is careful
I face exactly the same situation. Sometimes, I say lend the money because your friends need it but if they fail to return then don't lend again loh. It is the same with stationery.
I teach my daughter not to lend money to her school mates and not to borrow money from them. This money management lesson is quite tricky to tackle.
Yup! Shouldn't lend... If they are really hard up and want a drink, just get a drink for them, like you said - that is good but don;t make a habit fo that as well. Some are real parasites - they will expect it all the time.
Shouldn't lend.
But, I like your way of helping his friend. So smart of you to think of buying water and giving it to him. This is a very kind gesture and a win win solution.
Such a dilemma. I have yet to encounter this headache but your son's right in a way. That boy has a habit of borrowing ppl's money so this should not be allowed to continue.
I like the idea of buying water to give the friend. Bravo!
It’s actually nice that your boy knows the value of money and is careful to whom he lends it to at his young age. It’s not that he’s being stingy but maybe he’s just being practical? Although, it would also be nice if he learned how to discern people’s intentions in borrowing money. That way next time, maybe he would lend money to those who need it.
Eustolia Nitta
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