Paxton (11 years old at the time of this writing) loves to save his money, and he’s very disciplined about it. If we’re going to the store, he’ll very occasionally bring a dollar or two – but never more – for a soda or something, but most of his money stays safely tucked away in his bank. He’ll save for awhile until there’s something he really wants, then he’ll happily make his purchase and go right back to saving. A few weeks ago he pre-ordered a $60 video game with his own money, and more recently he ordered a good quality pair of headphones to use when he’s on the computer. He’s always very thoughtful and deliberate about what he spends his money on, and I’ve never once seen him regret a purchase. It’s a cool thing to witness.
Yesterday, UPS came with the headphones he’s been waiting for. He was extremely excited about them, asking me daily if they shipped yet, did I have a tracking number, when would they come. He was struggling as he tried to open the packaging (one of those extremely rigid and nearly impenetrable hard plastic cases), and chatting with me while he worked… telling me how cool they were, and why he chose that particular pair. He fought with the package for several minutes, eventually claimed defeat, and asked me to help him. He’d already done most of the hard work, cutting away at the glued tabs with a pair of scissors, so I was able to force it apart with my hands. It wasn’t until a few minutes later, when he finally had them completely out of the package, when he said, in a very unfamiliar, flat voice, “The cord is cut.”
I looked to see what he was talking about. The cord that attaches them to the computer was in two pieces, completely severed. The headphones were ruined, and he hadn’t even used them yet. I asked him if he thought he’d done it with the scissors, but he didn’t think he had. We looked at the paperwork, and talked about return policies. I finally picked up the plastic packaging and looked at it more closely. I asked him where the cord had been coiled, and he showed me. It lined up exactly with the slit from his scissors, and I could immediately see where he’d cut through the plastic, through the paper cardboard… and ultimately through the cord.
He was devastated, absolutely crushed. The excitement he’d felt only minutes earlier had transformed to utter disappointment and regret, knowing that his own mistake had cost him the very thing he’d so diligently saved his money to buy.
I thought (briefly, because how long does it really take to make such a decision?) about what we would have done if it had been the husband or I. We, like Paxton, would have been sad and disappointed, and likely mad at ourselves for our carelessness… and then, assuming we could afford it, we would have ordered another pair.
So that’s exactly what did. We told him how sorry we were that it happened, and we ordered him another pair. On us. Yes, we could have told him he needed to spend his own money, or we could have told him that he needed to wait. We could have used it to “teach him a lesson.” But really, what lessons would he have learned if we’d handled it in that way? The importance of saving his money? No, wait, he’d already clearly demonstrated that he’d learned that lesson. The need to be more careful when opening that type of packaging? No, there was no doubt to anyone who’d witnessed his devastation that he’d learned that lesson as well. He learned both of those lessons all on his own, without our help.
The only additional lesson he’ll learn here from us is simply that if he has an accident – and it was just an accident – if it’s within our power to do so, we will help make it right.
This is beautiful. Tears over here! I can just see my own little boy in this story, fast forward a few years. The heartbreak with realizing what he’d done…great lesson for your son, he is lucky to have such aware and caring parents.
Thanks, Annie! And yes, heartbreak is a good word. 🙁 I was so sad for him.
I love love love this! We had Ian at the store the other day and he also is pretty good about saving his money. I had told him that if he found something he wanted I would buy it and he could pay me back, since he forgot to bring his wallet. We found a few things for him and something for Kennedy. When we got home he went to his money counted it all out and brought it to me. I took and said thank you now hold out your hands, and I handed it right back to him and said “my treat.” I LOVED IT! He was so happy and excited and he didn’t expect it.
Awesome, Tara! I love the feeling of being able to give to my kids, especially when they are not expecting it!
I would have done the same thing, but FIRST I would have gone back to the manufacturer and explained what happened. I have had almost impossible packages to open, to where it resulted in damage to the internal product. When I explained what happened, the product was replaced free of charge.
Maybe some or all don’t agree with me, but they make packaging so dang impossible lately.
Oooh, interesting. It didn’t even occur to me to complain about the packaging. I’ll have to mention it to my husband and see if it’s something he’d do (he’s the one who makes that kind of phone call around here. :)) Very cool that you’ve had companies that replaced their products for you!
HA! I like to have my husband handle that side of business too! You just never know!
Beautiful. I got chills. Your son is a lucky guy. 🙂
Thanks, Vickie. 🙂 And I’m glad to see you’re still around reading, even though you’re not posting right now. 🙂
And that is one of the MANY reasons why I love you so!
Aww Amy. Back at you. <3
Yes! Call the manufacturer! It never hurts to ask. Some of those packages are sooo frustrating! I’ve had to stop, breathe, count to 10, etc. because certain packages were destined to smash against the wall. 😉
Okay my husband just sent them an email. We’ll see what happens!
THank you for this.
I needed it tonight.
You’re welcome. 🙂
If you wanted to keep the headphones with the severed cord, could you fix them?I know my husband has done all sorts of cutting and rejoinging of speaker wires and headphone cords.He just exposes the wires by taking off the plastic, twists the appropriate colors togthether and tapes over the mend.Maybe it is not as simple as that but it works!There is probably a youtube tutorial to show you how. So even if you still get the new set, you might end up with two pairs.Paxton could even do it himself 🙂
We tried. Husband did the whole exposing and splicing and joining thing with Paxton, but no go. 🙁
SO sad for Paxton. I think my kids take it even harder when they realize they were the ones who made the mistake. Glad you replaced it for him! I would have done the exact same thing! 🙂