Would you?

[Marilyn. 340]

I don't think "he doesn't live the life of a 11 year old" means what you think it means... some kids act older then their years..

I don't think the dad is sitting back, rubbing his hands with glee with an evil smirk on his face and thinking "yeah, I will just let my son sell all his toys and I will just sit here and do nothing"

I never said the dad is doing that

"He is an 11-year-old boy not living the life of an 11-year-old." That says to me he's not living the life of an 11 year old.

I think he means that most 11 year olds don't concern themselves with raising money for charities etc.. most of them just play their video games or their toys

See, and I think he's saying that most 11 year old boys aren't burdened with shouldering the family's financial situation wrt having to sell his personal possessions. *shrug*

well yeah if you take that sentence out of context it could mean that but if you read the whole thing it doesn't mean that at all...

It's not the first time Zach has helped those in need. In 2005, he sold Kool-Aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina and raised $400. A few years later, it was "Cocoa for California," which he sold to help wildfire victims.

"I am very proud of him," McGuire told WNWO. "He is an 11-year-old boy not living the life of an 11-year-old."

[Fandango 1,439]

Yeah, well, we read/see things differently. An 11 year old boy selling his gear to help the family bills is not living the life of an 11 year old.

Cannot believe the vote is deadlocked at 9-9...honestly that really does surprise me.

[DanielParul 50]

The child is a part of the family and if he wants to offer some of his toys we would let him so he feels that he has contributed something too. It teaches kids that they are an important part of the family and can share responsibilities. Kids here are given everything, shielded from pain, hardships which tells them that they cannot be trusted with responsibilities. They grow up thinking that the world owes them everything they want and they do not have to do anything.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I don't think "he doesn't live the life of a 11 year old" means what you think it means... some kids act older then their years..

I don't think the dad is sitting back, rubbing his hands in glee with an evil smirk on his face and thinking "yeah, I will just let my son sell his toys"

I agree with this.

It doesn't at all, from the little information we had, sound like the dad is burdening his son or expecting him to pick up some slack.

Neither of my children act their ages. It's not because I burdened them either, it's because they've been shown how to be responsible and charitable towards others. I sense that's what this man meant with his comment.

If their intention was to attract the media, then I think it's misguided. However, it seems perhaps someone else contacted the media. I know that with the charity I work for, most of the kids (most of them teenagers) do not like media attention, but we often get it because of the impact our work has. It has been a way to teach these kids (and my own) the power of humility as well.

I can't help feeling that people are taking this in a spirit different from the one which was intended...

No kidding. It's pretty cynical for some here to be so skeptical about the father and/or son's intentions or to make a judgment about the dad's parenting.

The child is a part of the family and if he wants to offer some of his toys we would let him so he feels that he has contributed something too. It teaches kids that they are an important part of the family and can share responsibilities. Kids here are given everything, shielded from pain, hardships which tells them that they cannot be trusted with responsibilities. They grow up thinking that the world owes them everything they want and they do not have to do anything.

Exactly.

[Fandango 1,439]

I shouldn't have enabled replies in this poll cos we could have just talked about it in the other thread instead of having two discussions about the same thing.

Sorry peeps!

[Jenn! 918]

I don't know the details of the story.

I wouldn't let him sell all of his toys, but I would let him sell some of them, if that was his wish. I think there's a big difference between letting the child contribute to the family of his own accord and guilting or forcing him into it.

Should a child be completely ignorant of a family's financial situation? At 11 years old, I would say no. If a child wants an expensive toy that his friends have, can his parents tell him that they cannot afford it or should the reality be disguised? I think it's the same type of situation.

[Autumnchik 6]

Okay, I am one of the ones who answered yes ... and here is why:

As much as everyone is saying kids shouldn't be aware of the financial problems of a family, the reality is that kids are much more aware than adults realize. Kids pick up on things, as much as parents try to hide things from them. I would let my child sell his toys to give him back a sense of control. I know that probably sounds strange, but the reality is that when problems happen in a family, the kids often feel so out of control and powerless. So, I don't see selling the toys as a meaningless gesture at all, but rather something that would give the child some sense of control. That said, I would not want my child to sell all of his toys and would encourage him to keep some. For me, it is more about the child's mental health and empowering him.

Edited July 20, 2009 by autumnchik

[The_Dude 1,142]

I wouldn't allow a (hypothetical) child of mine to do it. To start with, it's really not going to make much of a difference anyways, and the value of the toys to the child versus the monetary value of selling used toys just doesn't match. Now, if the kid had something extremely valuable that might be able to pay their mortgage for 6 months, I'd consider it, but would probably say no anyways.

[Ana Paula 2]

I would let my kid sell the toys, yes.

And would give him/her the money he/she made to buy something else. Even if it is just enough for candy... and would tell them I really appreciate their help and that it was definately important to our family.

Toys come and go....

Knowledge about something or a situation is eternal...

[Arabella 4]

I voted yes.

The OP made it sound like the kids offered to sell the toys to "help." My kids have 100s of toys, so if they offered to help out in this situation I think it would be a good lessen. Of course I wouldn't let them sell off their favorite toys, I'd have them chose the toys they didn't play with much. This way, they are helping and are getting a lessen about economics.

My grandmother grew up in the depression and even though she and my grandfather were very well-off, they were very mindful about their spending. I think children need to learn about excess, greed, the value of money, sharing, giving, being happy with what you have, etc.

Possessions come and go. Developing character lasts a life time.