11-Year-Old Selling His Toys to Help Family Finances
Prepare to sob. OK, tissues ready? An eleven-year-old boy in Ohio has set up a giant sign in front of his family’s house with just two words: TOY SALE.
And every cent he earns is going back to help his unemployed dad feed the family.
Perhaps I should have issued a two-tissue warning?
Zach McGuire was interviewed on CNN explaining that his family can’t eat toys or live in toys. “Even though they are fun, you don’t need them,” the youngster said.
True enough, but it’s sad that an eleven-year-old has to learn that the hard way though. His dad, Tom, is a contractor who hasn’t gotten a job since December. Add in a major job he did last summer that he’s still waiting to be paid for, and the family is hurting big time in this economy. Dad says he’s well aware he can’t rely on his son’s toy sale money; he’s looking for work.
But I’m glad to see him allow his son to at least try to help the family. The toy sales probably won’t amount to much, but he’s instilling a sense of value in his son . . . both in the value of material possessions and a value of his place in the family. By “helping,” with his sales, Zach gets to know he’s worth his spot in the family food chain too.
Not to mention the relief that floods over you when you realize your kid doesn’t think they need all the six thousand toys most of today’s kids (mine included) accumulate.
Would you let your kids do something like this?
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Tags: economic crisis, economy, family finances, Jeanne Sager, money, toys
13 Comments
[...] example of good financial parenting, and, of course, selflessness on the part of this young boy. Here is what Strollerderby points out about the situation : But I’m glad to see him allow his son to at least try to help the family. The toy sales [...]
Family Finances: Do Your Kids Contribute? : Bizzia - Business News and Commentary - Finance and Business Tips commented on Jul 22 09 at 1:33 pmTiffany commented on Jul 21 09 at 10:08 amThat is fabulous! Seriously, this kid is being raised right.
PlumbLucky commented on Jul 21 09 at 10:12 amThis child is definitely being raised right; I just wish that it didn’t come to this.
Lorraine commented on Jul 21 09 at 10:14 amNo, I wouldn’t. I think 11 is too young to have to worry about family finances. I remember my mother talking about not being able to pay bills or buy groceries, and I vividly recall feeling a great deal of stress and worry over our financial situation. I wouldn’t wish that on another child, and I certainly wouldn’t call it “fabulous.”
Knitty commented on Jul 21 09 at 10:42 amI wouldn’t, and I don’t think it’s “fabulous” either. I would be very proud of my child for offering to do this and explain that what he wants to do is a generous and loving thing, but the profits from his toys wouldn’t feed the family long enough to matter. Besides, once the family’s finances turn around (and I’d assure him that they WILL turn around, one way or another) the sold toys would have to be purchased again.
I have those sorts of memories too, Lorraine, and have no intention of doing the same to my daughter if our fortune took a turn for the worse.
Kayt commented on Jul 21 09 at 12:41 pmWow. How can people call this fabulous? It’s heartbreaking. I believe that children should know the value of hard work and personal finances, but it shouldn’t come to this. If my child offered this, I would turn them down.
MzBrat3 commented on Jul 21 09 at 1:39 pmI do not know many 11-year-olds who are this unselfish. Many wouldn’t care that the family was struggling…they would still be begging for the newest toy on the shelf. Send this story to Oprah.
KellyK commented on Jul 21 09 at 4:06 pmOprah? Really? His just offering means he is being raised right. I would not take him up on it either. And no it is NOT fabulous.
Basketcasemama commented on Jul 21 09 at 4:50 pmBeing a bit of a zealot sometimes, I think that the old what you give will be returned to you tenfold most certainly would apply to this selfless and generous young man. And although it would break my heart to see my child offer to do such a deed of kindness, I would allow it if he felt he wanted to contribute to the family in a time of great need, cause I know that his kindness will be returned and toys can be replaced and the sense of goodness and worth that comes from doing something to help his family will make him a greater man than all the toys at Walmart.
leahsmom commented on Jul 21 09 at 6:03 pmI don’t think you can hide things like this from children - as a kid, I had the same experience Lorraine did, not because my parents were bad people who were giving me adult information but because we were struggling, and that’s hard to hide. Some kids grow up faster than others - and until we all have the same amount of money, resources, and personal health, that’s always going to be the case. It sounds like this kid has found one way to deal with the stress and anxiety of this situation - I would let my kid sell his toys, absolutely - not because I’m expecting the cash to feed us, as criticized above, but because that will allow him to feel like he’s involved in the issue and the family, and might be a healthy way for him to deal with some of the stress around the family situation.
Voice of Reason commented on Jul 21 09 at 6:05 pmIf your child offered this, you would turn it down? Really? It’s great publicity, which has resulted in Zach being interviewed by CNN. My guess is that the dad will be in full time employment by the end of the week. Maybe I sound cynical but, to be truthful, this family has shown ingenuity and creativity in using the national media to their advantage. Those are some of the skills employers are looking for!
jeannesager commented on Jul 21 09 at 6:08 pmI like your way of thinking Voice of Reason - it’s not necessarily cynical, it’s realistic in today’s economy!
Marj commented on Jul 22 09 at 4:34 pmI think it’s sweet of him. If he were determined I would allow, but I’d like to think unless things were quite dire I would talk him out of it. His job would be to help out around the house, and do really well in school.
