Does DD deserve a reward or should we just accept this as normal family give and take?

[OrmIrian]

I think she has been incredibly grown up and sensible about this.

Since September DH hasn't been able to get out of school in time to pick up DS#2 and DD from their school. So DD has been picking DS~2 up, making sure he has all his stuff, and walking home with him. She has to unlock the door and then they wait for DS#1 to get home at about 3.30 and DH about 10m later.

Now for a 10yr old that is a lot of responsibility and I think she has taken it on very responsibly. I want to get a little gift to say thankyou. Maybe a watch. Or should this just be seen as part of the normal stuff that families do for each other?

i think that although it can be taken as normal family give and take it will be good to show her how gratefull you are.

she does indeed sound very grown up

Yes I think so too mamazon. She is a total star! I still wonder if she is really mine

There is a difference between a reward and a thank you gift. I think if it is given as a thank you for all she has done then she will also learn that it is nice to be appreciated and so there is a lesson there too. It is always nice to be appreciated even if it is something that is expected of us anyway.

I think a watch would be a lovely idea. What a lovely DD you have.

I agree with you, and a watch sounds ideal.

Just because children do what we think they should, is no reason not to reward them for it as well, I think. It's a lovely sign of appreciation.

Yes a thankyou gift is what it would be rather than a reward.

I think a watch would be perfect, a nice grown up present to reflect her mature and responsible attitude.

Well done you and your dd, and your DS as well for behaving sensibly when only his big sister is around (not all small chidren are so respectful of their older siblings.

What a lovely brood you have.

Mistymoo has it - yes, it's good for children to learn about a family being a team, and doing things for eachother because it's a good thing to do, not so you get a reward. But a thank you card and/or present is totally different from a reward.

Thanks stuffing.

Beleive me DS#2 doesn't always do what she tells him He doesn't always do what anyone tells him. But they rub along OK together.

Just thought about thanking DS2 for behaving maturely enough so that DD is able to collect him herself...? It's not just her that enables this arrangement to work, even though she's taking the responsibility. If he behaved really badly, you wouldn't be able to let her do it.

That is true Flamingo. They are both being quite mature.

Must be doing something right

Orm, then thanking them both might encourage ds to behave even better

Another vote for a thank you gift(s) here. I believe we don't really make enough fuss over good or responsible behaviour as a rule - often we are quick to judge and punish, but not to reward.

It's nice to feel appreciated and both your dd and ds sound like they deserve apt on the back.