My Kids A Hustler!

Crystalina wrote: Evan collects Pokemon cards and trades them for other cards or these little things that look like tiny balls but open up into some sort of character. We buy him his cards for holidays, birthday or for a "job well done" on something.

Now...this morning I found money on him. Evan is allotted a small amount of money. $1 for his breakfast (which he insists on eating at school with his friends) and $2 for his lunch. He gets exactly that every day. A couple times I did not have one dollar bills so I made the mistake of giving him a $5 and he came home with nothing because he handed his change over to a friend who wanted it. He's in 1st grade so it's a learning thing with him and I as far as all this goes.

Back to the money I found on him...It was 10 one dollar bills. I asked if he was not eating in school and keeping the money instead and he said no, he was selling his cards to kids.

Me: WHAT kids? For how long? And NO!!!

His answer: to several kids, for awhile and okay he won't do it anymore.

I told him if he wants to trade for little things (like other cards or those little ball toy thingies) that that was okay but NOT for money.

For one, I doubt the other parents realize their kids are giving my son money for these cards. I haven't asked how much he is making for each card because I discovered this right before the bus came. I plan on interrogating him further when he gets home.

My dilemma: do I just stop it now and leave it at that or do I try to sort through which kids? How much did they pay you? and then track them down and return the money?

Dh's response at first was "Hey he's a little business man!"
Me: He's a huslter!

DH says to forget about it and just stop it now. He's saying since there are several kids involved and only $10 that it will be a chore to figure out who gave what and giving it back.

WWYD? I know he didn't realize what he was doing may be wrong but IMO I think 1st graders exchanging money for goods is not something that should be going down.

TIA.

my2monkeyboys replied: I am with your DH on this. I would just make him stop and leave it at that. The other parents can talk to their kids when/if they find out they were buying cards. It's all just a part of growing up and learning about money, it's not as if anyone was getting hurt, ya know?
And I also agree - your kid has a mind for business.

MommyToAshley replied: LOL... Sounds like you have a little entrepreneur on your hands.

I remember this happening last year with Ashley's class. Even though she was not the one selling stuff at the time, I explained to her why she should not sell or buy stuff from other kids at school. A few weeks later, she came home one day and told me that she made 50 cents at school. I asked her how, and she told me that she was teaching dance class at recess and she only charged 10 cents per person and she had five students in her class. I asked her if she remembered our conversation, and she said she did but she only thought she was not to buy or sell items. LOL... so another conversation began.

Calimama replied: Hahaha, "he's a hustler". Funny stuff. I would just put an end to it. I mean unless the parents come to you and demand the money back. Technically he IS giving them a product..

cameragirl21 replied: Idk, I guess my thinking is different from the others because I don't see the harm here at all.
When I was in third grade, I made these bookmarks out of yarn and the other kids started to admire them so I offered to make them one for cash and I made some good money that way and all the kids were happy with the merchandise they got. Also, my grandma taught me how to make flower crowns out of dandelions and the other kids admired my doing that at recess too and I remember contemplating charging for those too but decided not to because I realized those flowers die before the end of the school day and that the crowns I made at recess would no longer have value after school so it was wrong to charge for those so those were free.
Some older girls at my elementary school made fancy embellished barrettes and sold those and I remember buying a pair from them and I was one of many who did and we were all happy customers.
I think as long as kids aren't ripping others off then their entrepreunerial spirit should be encouraged. As a business owner and now that I'm about to start another business as well, I've been reading up a lot on global marketing, etc, and have learned that this generation of kids has the potential to produce A LOT of millionaires by the time they finish high school because they are growing up with the internet and technology and will therefore be more savvy about global outreach, etc, than any of us adults will likely ever be. So the way I see it, if they have a natural enterpreneurial spirit, it should be encouraged as long as they are playing fair and engaging in good business ethics.
JMO of course.

MommyToAshley replied: I get what you are saying Jennifer, but the problem with it at this age is that kids will sell stuff that are presnts intended for them or things purchased by their parents. I don't mind if Ashley spends her allowance on those things, but if the kids are doing this without the parent's permission, then that is different. Another problem is that I am sure that kids at this age will spend money that is intended for lunch money and I am sure their parents do not realize that they are spending the money on these things and not eating their lunches. As a parent, I just don't want Ashley taking advantage of other kids. I'd rather she dance with her friends for the fun of it rather than see it as a business... she'll have plenty of time for that later. I agree with Crystal on stopping the purchasing of the cards, but I would be ok with the trading of the cards at this age.

luvbug00 replied: Brad sold his dads happy hats (con_ _ _s) at that age. LOL
He thought they were ballons.
anyway ITA with the yard killing hubby.. just make it known this is not ok and drop it.

Calimama replied:
Hahahahahah that'd be a fun one to explain to the parents.

MommyToAshley replied:
LOL!!!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: LOL - I'd say good on him. He's got a nose for business.

CantWait replied: Crystal this is awesome, don't be too hard on him.

P.S. those ball things you're describing are bakugans ( I know I spelled that wrong). Anthony loves these, has 24 I think lol

mom21kid2dogs replied:
I can so see her doing this!
Hey . . .10 cents is a bargin.

Our publics do not allow exchange of cash for goods among students of any elementary age. It's part of their anti bullying policies.

My3LilMonkeys replied:
When DH was in middle school I think, Pogs were a big thing and he had a Pog maker...so he and his best friend made Pogs with pictures from Playboy magazines and sold them at school.


I'd probably let the ones he already sold go and just make sure it doesn't continue.

grapfruit replied: Eh. I saw you FB post this morning before I went into work. This is the first I've had a chance to look. Looks like everyone got to the answering I pretty much agree w everyone else. Let it go but I kind of agree w Jennifer, but I think if he was making something I guess, not selling parent bought toys.

bluebear replied: I used to do the same thing in 4th grade until I got in trouble. I would tell him to stop but not make him give refunds (? lol) to the kids.

A&A'smommy replied: I'm sorry this is HILARIOUS!!! He is SO smart! I agree with the others just stop it now and if parents complain make him repay them.

Crystalina replied: Thanks everyone!
I dropped it after telling him to stop. I was just afraid that some 1st grader wasn't eating lunch so he could buy cards from my kid! I told him he could trade for other cards or those ball things "baku-whatever Marie said" but nothing else.