[KellyA]

One idea, if the other parents are supportive, would be to get together and make a list for all three boys to work on together. It could be light yardwork, washing cars, etc. I have three boys myself (8,10, and 16). They like to stick together when someone does something wrong, and not fess up (which I suppose is good in a way). So instead of screaming, and losing my temper, we just put all three on house arrest until someone confesses. :-) House arrest includes scrubing bathrooms, washing dishes, doing yardwork, etc. The first time this happened, one of them had stuck a huge wad of chewed up bubble gum INSIDE my piano (in the strings). No one would tell. After 3 days of constant housecleaning, my middle son came running out of his room screaming, "It was me, it was me! Asa (the oldest) said he was gonna kick my a** if he had to clean anymore!" Good thing too- because I was running out of chores!! :-)


Anyways, obviously the chore has to be age appropriate, but I do think that it is important for them to see that people do have to work for money and that it is expensive to repair things- especially when it could have been prevented. Is he writing much yet? Maybe a brief "I'm sorry" note would be a good idea.

Good luck- life is never dull with boys in the house!

Love, Kelly