I needed a Target run last night so I told the boys they could use their Christmas gift cards if they were good in the store. As they picked out items, they added up the totals and I mentioned they would also have to pay sales tax so that would impact the total.
In the car afterward, they wanted to know more. We had a very long detailed discussion about sales tax, how it works, why we have it, etc. This led to discussing different types of tax we pay, including income tax and property tax. Nate asked how the government knows how much you should pay so I then explained the April 15 income tax deadline.
Nate: If I owed $100 at the end of the year, I would just send $35. I don't want to give them all my money.
Laura: Then you would go to jail.
Nate: Okay then, I will give them $100.
I like to think that when the boys are in therapy as adults, they will say their mom never just said "I don't know" or "That's the way it is." Instead they will say "That crazy lady explained taxes to us when we were 6. And the effect of blood sugar on our bodies. And the direction of waves and how it impacts hearing. WE WERE 6!"
8 comments:
And yet you still wonder why Nate never stops talking...
Hahahaha!
Now: I just cover the tax for Gage. Why? Because once upon a time I over-explained why McDonald's food isn't good for our bodies. I went into (apparently too much) detail about high fat foods and cardiac disease, which leads to death.
Now---Gage is afraid that if he eats McDonalds, he will die. HE WILL DIE if he eats it.
I'm afraid that if I went into taxes right now, even though there are widespread benefits, he would just end up hating the government with his stingy ways, and live in the forest someday with no income...
I better refrain for now...
So wait, you're saying that explaining things in detail to 6 year olds isn't normal. Oops. I guess I'll add some money to the therapy fund.
I just explained income tax yesterday because they wanted to know why the lunatic in the Statue of Liberty costume was waving a sign that said it would give them $50.
I haven't had them take responsibility for sales tax yet. Hmm...
I least you aren't constantly having to explain how a new baby is growing in your tummy to an almost 4 year old. That is my life :)
WAit! Does "Then you will go to jail" work to get kids to comply with any rule? If so, I will start using that for soooo many things.
Uh, we do the same thing and she's 3. Perhaps we too should start saving for therapy.
And @Lainey-Painey, my explanation of how McD's was not healthy food, and also not yummy, so therefore not a "treat" food either, prompted the 3yo to ask if it was just for decoration. I wasn't sure how to answer :) I like your explanation, though.
This is actually amazing.
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