Grrr! Another set of felt tips left to dry out. AIBU to expect dc to put the damn lids back on?

[haychee]

Im fed up of buying dc drawing pens, just so they can be left laying about without their lids and so dry out within hours!
Am i really expected to be watching them every minute with every activity? I want to refuse to buy any new ones, but they do like to draw and it keeps them occupied for hours. We have crayons and pencils too but felt tips are the preferred tools.

Any suggestions?

Hmm I guess the only thing you could try would be to keep felt tips in a high cupboard in the kitchen. Tell dc they need to ask for felt tips and return them to you when they finish with them. Or just ban them for a while and explain why in the hope that next time they will be very conscious of putting lids back on so not to lose them again. Prob not great advise but it's what I would do.

Award felt tips for good behaviour. One pen per praiseworthy act. If they let them dry out, they have to earn a replacement.

dd1 is a mischievious little girl. She climbs up on top of worksurfaces and can get things down from the top of the cupboards (not such a good/safe hiding place anymore). Think i would need a safe to be able to keep them away from her

I need eyes in the back of mt head! Actually all around my head!

Ok in that case I would ban them for the time being then. Like LizaRose suggested award them with good behaviour.

Its worth a try. Ill buy new ones today and keep them in my locked car. Severe isnt it? Let them have them when they have been particulalry good and tell them i want them all back when they have finished.

Yes probably the best approach to take. A good way of teaching them to take care of there things.

you should try these - they stya working for 14 days - if they leave lid off!

www.berol.com/productDetail.asp?sectorID=9&productID=7

sellotape the lids to their hands!!!!

When I was young I used to put vinegar in them to get them going again...... or was I just strange.

Pictures really used to smell......

willmouse - you sure you werent drawing with chips!!!!

I've given up. I get them from Tesco's - cheap and work ok.