should I give him anything

No, I'd use the money for something you need to spend it on right now. It's not like you're going off and getting a massage or something just for you. He'll get another toy later to make up for it I'm sure.

First question is this. Was the power wheel a Christmas or Birthday gift? If it was I say Yes you should give him like $10 because no matter what his age it it was a gift to him.

If you need the money now use it, but when you are on your feet again he deserves the money you made off of selling it. I often sell my kids stuff on ebay , but they usually are the ones to ask me to do so. I make them pay the listing fees and shipping costs and put the money in a bank account for them . They have savings, and spending accounts. This way they learn to save , and are getting rid of stuff they no longer use.
If this is going to upset your son give him $10 like Amanda said to occupy his mind, this might make it less of a problem for him.

yeah I was thinking 10.00... this was not a xmas gift or birthday... just during one summer my mom got it from a garage sale.. and gave it to him.. for no special occasion

Wow, Jenn, that's tough. I would use the money for your bills. It's more important that you have food and a roof over your head. Plan to do something special for him in the future (summer) like an outing to the lake or something you know he likes to do.

yeah that sounds like a good idea

Yes I would do the bills too-what good is a toy he has no where to play it with? When things are looking up then take a trip to the dollar store-he doesn't know the cost of things and will be happy with any toy!!

yeah plus he has another powerwheel.. well its not by that company.. its that firetruck they have out now.. he got that a few xmas's ago..and we also have a little powerwheel for each of the twins!!

part of being a family is learning to take care of each other. most improtantly when times are tough. Your child needs to learn this and so don't feel bad about using the money for bills. None of us are in this life alone we all need to learn to give up a little for family and friends. And it's not gonna hurt him to do so.

I would say no, if he brought it then yes. Use the money toward something you need.

good point vivian

If the money is needed for family iteas then that is what I would do. If not then I would buy a savings bond with it, in his name.
Im big on savings bonds with my boys. My parents buy them one for Christmas and birthdays along with a toy or clothing. I have tried to get other family members to do this as well, but they think we are nuts and think it is wrong to want them to buy the bonds and not a gift. I am thinking of my childrens college and needs when they get older. They have plenty of toys. They will not go without by not getting yet another one.
If you use the money for family needs then when you get things in order maybe you can treat him to something special. Sit down and have a talk with him, let him know what you did and why you need the money. Let him know what your plans are and why it is important that you buy these things with the money and that as soon as you can, you will buy him something special. Im also with Vivian on this one. Use it as a learning tool, not only for your son, but all the kids.

You like getting advice? Well, it just so happens that I love giving advice! Here's mine:

Never feel guilty about a decision you make as a parent on behalf of your child. That is your relationship, after all: you are the parent, he is the child. You are under no obligation to treat him as a partner or an equal when it comes to household finances. Do what you need to do, and if he has a temper tantrum when he finds out, send him to his room with no dessert and no TV.

No, I would not give him any money. I would put the money towards something for him in the new trailer though.

great advice thank you both of you

That's a hard one. Depending on how bad the financial situation is, if I were in that situation I may or may not give money. I've never sold anything that my child currently uses, and when things have gotten dire, I've actually sold and gotten rid of my stuff first, because I can understand the reasons for the sacrifice better.

I realized a while back that it isn't good to let our children know too much about our financial burdens. Though it makes them really generous with us, and more forgiving about the not getting what they want thing, it also makes them worry a lot more about what might happen next. I decided after some thought that my own obliviousness to my parents' financial status when I was a child was really a good thing...

Just some observations from the hillbilly...

thank you.. well im not really getting rid of for money.. just for room.. I try not to let them know about money stuff

Spend the money on the bills cuz it benefits the kids too. I lived in a trailer, 20X46 1960's mobile home for 13 years and I thought it was not so bad. Yes, a house is much better but I had the trailer fixed up pretty cozy there for a while. Good luck with the move and everything

I say do what you gotta do.


glitter-graphics.com

thanks

When my boys were young... it was a bit different then it is now that the youngest is 15 and the older ones are out of the house.. but I agree with if its a present then technically ownership goes to the child. I learned this going through divorce.

When the boys got bigger... the money went into a bank account for them.. sometimes they were given a few bucks.. but the rest always went into the account unless they could explain why they wanted the money and why they were selling the toy.

It teaches them great skills, like how to save money. Why its important to sell things you don't need to help save for things you want or need. It teaches them to downsize before it ever gets out of control (wish I would have been taught that earlier in life hehe)

But if you do use the money make a journal of it.. pay it back.

I also know that alot of us buy toys and such for kids not really as gifts or presents but in every day spending.. Wonder how the group feels about those items being sold and the money used on bills and such. Because ultimately I know I still bought for the kids later anyways. hmmm any suggestions?

yeah so often they will get toys out of the blue..not often though..this was one of the times but it was from my parents .. (the ones that i dont talk to ..previous article) but that is not why its going.. just dont have the room.. plus he still has his firetruck.

hope you figured it out

yep

LOL @ my comment