Corporation Primary

[Dora1]

Yeah, I'm also interested to know abt what sort of funny things they buy in sch, and how much pocket money to give them. I saw the canteen sells teriyaki chicken rice for $1.20. Most prob I'll give her at least that cos my girl loves jap food. My biggest concern is that she'll spend the money on junk food, sweet drinks or funny things fr the bookshop cos DD is a picky eater :frustrated:

[Kabby]

my ds used to get $1 in P1. that was when he only bought noodles, and he could choose between the 80cents size or $1 size.


i think all kids start out the same way. he too started to ask if he can have more money as he would like to buy a drink like his friends, or buy some snacks or biscuits the snack stall sells.

when they see the older ones buy stuff, it's even worse cos the older ones tend to have more money? the P1s normally all stick to buying food, all very guai wat... hehe

and yes he bought erasers from bookshop too.

i had some headache about that as well. but i thought if i just use a dictatorship way of stopping him from buying, then it doesn't teach him anything about handling money, yet only creates some envy (cos others can buy) and resentment (of me, for withholding money from him and having blanket ban on buying things).

what i am sharing here did not happen overnight, so please don't feel that it has to be an immediate change ya.

first. i decided to tackle the issue of pricing.
i asked him for the prices of the biscuits, snacks and drinks and stationery he would like to buy. as well as the brand/ type.

we listed everything down and then i brought him to NTUC/ Giant and Popular to find those same things.

he himself came to the conclusion that when we buy the same things in bulk, it becomes cheaper per unit. so he agreed to let me do the buying of packet drinks and snacks and he can either have them at home after he returns from school or he can bring them to school, but he will not buy them in school.

(did you know he used to buy a single small packet of Japanese seaweed daily in school, for 20 cents a packet??)

as for stationery, he found that there are nice designs and similar things he can get at Popular too, and especially at the year end sale where everything is 20% off, it's a great deal. i applied for membership for him at Popular too so he gets to see he gains more discounts that way.

the 2nd issue was about delayed gratification/ or self-control.
i didn't want him to feel that if i want it now, i can have it now, or i should and must have it now.
so i agreed to give him a little more money. I increased his pocket money to $1.20 then $1.50, after observing for some time that he can control himself and not spend all the money, only on essential food, and save the rest.
with his savings, i allowed him to save up so he can buy something bigger for himself, and also save some in his own bank account.
i bring him to bank in his savings himself and let him check his balance in his account book. all these seemed to make him feel happy to save.

of course, he had moments of weakness. there were times he came back having spent all his $1.50. sometimes it was a drink, or a piece of stationery from the bookstore. i try not to be angry. i try my best. then we try to discuss about it. (sometimes i have to discuss through a clenched jaw... lol... myself needing self-control...)

so ok, now at P3, he gets a lot more money as he stays back almost 3-4 days a week, and he doesn't spend on any extra thing now. and he usually is able to save all the leftover money. hope it can last him a lifetime.... we don't know what will happen once he decides to chase after girls in future!

[Hazelmama]

Thanks, K. My sis in law warned me it could take first 6 months to sort the pocket money issue. Another SIL resorted to letting my nephew bring lunch box because he came back with tons of junks.

[Kabby]

Hi hazelmama,

That could be a way too. The kids can save queueing time if they bring own food. It could be more nutritious as well. Maybe can do that few times and week and the rest of the week they can learn to manage $?

[Hazelmama]

kabalevsky:

Hi hazelmama,

That could be a way too. The kids can save queueing time if they bring own food. It could be more nutritious as well. Maybe can do that few times and week and the rest of the week they can learn to manage $?

Gd idea.

[Dora1]

Hi all


Long time no chat. Just received the orientation letter, DD will be in Respect 2 next year, anyone has their DC in the same class? Maybe can meet up on orientation day.
Just to check, we can buy books, uniform and order the name tag another day right? We can go off after the talks and admin stuff at 11am rt? Cos DD has ballet at 12pm. Also I was thinking the bookshop will be super crowded on that day, might be easier to go another day and settle everything.

[Kabby]

that’s exciting dora!

i remember the P1 orientation time. so nice…

yes can buy books another day… uniform and name tags too. but the forms have to be filled that day, if i remember correctly. but that’s quite fast. your dd ballet is near CPS?

[Champion]

:imanisland: :imanisland: Dora1 and kabalevsky,


WOW! Orientation is next month; time flies It feels like just yesterday that I attended DD2's P1 Orientation

Yes, on the orientation day itself, the booth selling books and uniforms will be v crowded. I will avoid buying on that day and make a second trip to go back on another weekday.

It will be in another 3 years' time that I will have to attend to the last P1 Orientation for my now 3 years old DS

[Dora1]

Hi Kabby and Champion!


Yes it’s so exciting! My DD still doesn’t really know what primary sch is really like, so this orientation will really be a very new experience for her.
My DD’s ballet is abt 20min drive away, so should be on time if we leave at 11am sharp. Actually even if she has no ballet, I’ll choose to buy another day cos I really hate crowds!

[Kabby]

yes! so fun to look forward to!


yup. think you can arrive in time for ballet. sounds quite near.

PM us your girl's form teacher's name after Orientation day! and share with us your dd's experience!