Children Exchanging Money

You did the right thing. I would've called the mom to let her know. It's not appropriate for children this young to be giving away money. I suggest the mom needs to know so she can talk with her daughter.

I work in an elementary school and I've seen this happen. What you should do is tell the teachers (both her teacher and the other kid's teacher). Kids don't give money as presents with their parents' knowledge. I've seen it at school. Little kids don't understand the value of money. They take the dollars from their piggy bank and bring them to school and give them away - I've watched it happen and stopped it. They don't understand that they have to ask their parents before taking the money from their bank or dollar jar, they can't just put it in their pocket and take it to school, but they do it and their parents do not realize that they need to tell their kids not to do it. Please talk to the teachers, who should be the ones to inform the parents of anything that happens in school. You should never have your child keep money that other kids "give" them - trust me that it's not a present that their parent approved of, ever.

It was a sweet gesture, for sure. But I think you did the right thing. As young as the girl was she might not really know it was money, and definitely doesn't understand that money has value. She might have just thought it was something neat looking she wanted to give to a friend. Or maybe it being Christmas time she was just in the giving spirit :-)

i agree with the ladies. we have neighbor kids (who can be sweet, but are very unsupervised, pretty much in every way) and the little girl is always trying to give my son junk food (our rule is he has to ask me) or toys (we don't take other peoples' things unless their parent is there saying its okay for them to give it to us). it's sweet, but misguided. their parent may or may not know they are doing it, and i wouldn't want my child to get in the middle of something unintentionally (not to mention many times it's things i don't think he needs anyway). it's hard to explain that to a little kid but i think it's the right thing.

I would do the same. And I think I would mention it to the parent. Even if it was money she just happened to have in her pocket I can't imagine they want her giving it away to friends for no reason. If I were the parent I would absolutely want to know my daughter was giving away her dollars so that I could have a discussion with her about responsibility.

I'm sure it's all harmless, but would hate to see her give away all her money and not know why it's wrong.

You did the right thing. I have always told my kids that we leave toys and any personal items at home. We don't accept gifts unless the parent is with the child and they give it to you in the parent's presence.

I would have done the same thing. Money is not a gift that kids are supposed to give other kids. Adults do money cards and monetary gifts. Not kids.

You did good.

Its "less", significantly, the the toys & other things that kids often exchange... Or TRY to... Because I put the kybosh on those as well. No dolls, trucks, balls, etc.

Its one reason (kids liking to gift each other) that trading cards, slap wraps, jellies, friendship bracelets, marbles, etc. become to popular. Kids LIKE giving and receiving... Which is well and good... When it's in a controlled fashion.

Personal things & cash... Stay in your own pockets!!! Its waaaaay to easy for misunderstandings (sometimes serious ones) to happen.