Entrepreneurial neighbours kids

[nextphase]

Ok, so the kids from next door (3 and 8), and round the corner (4 and 8) had done some drawings, and one had made a very short comic book, and they were trying to sell them - £5 to £10. They asked on my way out of the door if I wanted to look, so we (me and kids) did, which is when I noticed they were for sale. I mentioned I had no money, and turned my pockets out to show them, and jumped in the car.

Got back about an hour later, and they asked again, so I rummaged round in my purse when they couldn't and found a load of 20p. I offered 20p per pic, one pic per child which was accepted.

The kids got sent back round about 5 mins later to return the money, saying they weren't allowed.

Was I wrong to reward their entrepreneurial spirit? I guess I should mention that I know all the kids and parents by name, they know us, and regularly ring on the doorbell to go into the back and retrieve a ball - so they aren't strangers, if that makes a difference.

Should the parents have stopped them earlier? Should I have refused? I think i feel worse for giving them the money, and then it having to be returned.

WWYHD?

My mum would have called that begging

I wouldn't fret about it - the parents obviously felt bad about their offspring scamming the nice neighbour, but are probably appreciative that you humoured the kids and went along with it. Don't do/say anything - they'll be as awkward about it as you are.

Surely begging is getting something for nothing?

I would certainly have rewarded entrepreneurial spirit, I think it's great in this day and age, when so many people think they are entitled to reward without effort.

That's quite sweet . I think you did a nice thing to offer them 20p each, and you did reward their entrepreneurial spirit. I can understand why their parents sent them back though, they might have though you had been taken advantage of or guilted into giving them money. I would think no more about it unless a parent approaches you about it, but if they do it will probably be just to apologise for thier children!

is it really more begging than bob a job?

I'm just saying, that's what my mum would have said if we'd have done that as kids. I'd imagine this is why the parents sent them back round?

Bob a job is a bit before my time but I think that that was a) money paid for something useful/ that you wanted and b) for charity?

We have a few girls who whenever we have a neighbourhood event set up a stall selling cakes, biscuits and drinks, all homemade. They are very good at cooking and generally make a nice little profit. I think it is brilliant that they are working for their money and appreciating the effort that has to go into getting paid so always buy something from them.

I think I'd mention to the parents that you thought it was lovely to see the children showing some initiative :)

They wanted £5-£10 per picture??

It's not begging.

I was gobsmaked how many neighbors were willing to buy my DC's Hamma creations a couple of summers ago. But I din't make my DCs return the money.

I think just refusing point blank is fine.