Teach Your Children Well

My 6 year old told my wife last week that she had to bring in money to school so she couold pay another kid for a Pony. Apparently, some little brat was trying to "scheist" my daughter and her friend out of some loot.

After my wife told me about this I cautiously had a conversation with my little girl - who immediately clammed up and didn't say much at all. She sort of acknowledged that she knew better and that there was little or no chance that another 1st grader had access to a Pony. Besides, where would we keep a Pony! I was pretty satisfied that she wasn't going to go in and give up her money to some punk-ass kid.

A few minutes later, just before we left for school, I found out that my daughter had an envelope with the kid's name on it - my wife and I looked at each other with huge eyes and I "felt" the envelope, thinking rapidly to myself that I needed to somehow TRUST that she was doing the smart thing and not lying to us about giving this kid her money.

I told her - "Honey, I'm going to open this envelope and if there is no money in it, I apologize forever for not trusting you." I asked her if she was OK with me opening the envelope and she sort of shook her head "Yes."

I opened it up and held my breath - there was no money in the envelope. In fact, here's what it said (paraphrased):

Dear (lousy Pony seller kids name),

I'll give you the money when I see the Pony. Otherwise, I'm not giving you any money.

Wait... did I just read what I think I read... YESSSS!!!! It was an amazing moment! I gave my girl a huge hug and told her I was sorry for opening the envelope but that she was amazing and completely did the right thing. I was proud of her!

WHEW! Now let's hope she knows what to say when some punk tries to kiss her or give her a joint.