7yo Lost Library book, should I make her pay??

[FreshTressa]

My 7 year old first grader lost a $20 library book.

I have never actually seen this book.

Should she have to pay for it to learn a lesson or is she too young?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is she always losing things? Is this a time for a lesson?

I might be more lenient with a responsible kid who makes a mistake than a kid who throws there stuff everywhere and doesn't care.

So my kids would be paying.

 

[lulugirl]

Is she always losing things? Is this a time for a lesson?

I might be more lenient with a responsible kid who makes a mistake than a kid who throws there stuff everywhere and doesn't care.

So my kids would be paying.

I agree! If it's a habit of hers to lose things I would have her pay, if not I would cut her a break.

 

[CEDmom]

Are you certain it's lost? Could it be in her desk or locker at school? If you've looked everywhere I'd have her help pay for it at least. If she gets an allowance I'd take part of that the next time she gets it. She could also do some extra chores to help pay for it. I don't think it's too young to teach responsibility. I'm sure losing it was an accident but I bet the next time she goes to the library she'll keep closer track of the book.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I also wouldn't have her pay if she's normally responsible. I would go to school with her and have her help you look. At the very most I would have her "work" around the house to help pay it off. I know a 7yo can't do much, but you could come up with some little jobs for her to do over the course of a week. The book will very likely turn up.

 

[Kimberle]

I would never take money from my almost 7yo. What I'd do instead, is assign extra chores to compensate.

 

[ziggystardust]

I lost a library book once, I think I was about 10. We ended up finding a new one in a local store. I had to give it back to the librarian and explain everything and apologize. My parents didn't give us allowances so I wouldn't have been able to pay for it.

 

[azgal81]

I dont see how a 7 year old could lose a library book. Maybe it's in her room or at school. I mean she got it from the library and then probably took it home or left it at school. Where else could it be??

 

[lilostitch]

First, I would do a big search of her desk, room, and backpack.

If it is still lost, she is not too young. The logical consequence would be for her to replace the book. She could use her own money, or earn money for extra chores around the house to replace the book. I don't see it as a punishment. I'd say, "Oh man, what a bummer. I hope you can find the book, but if not, I guess you are going to have to give the money to the library so they can replace it".

 

[shortbun]

I lost a library book once, I think I was about 10. We ended up finding a new one in a local store. I had to give it back to the librarian and explain everything and apologize. My parents didn't give us allowances so I wouldn't have been able to pay for it.

"Lost" library books are often in the classroom on a shelf. I'd go look for the book. I've helped our school librarian find many 'lost' books.

 

[MOMTOCUTESTDOGEVER]

My first thought was to not make her pay because she might decide not to read anymore for fear of losing another book. It's better to let her lose one and keep reading then to punish her and potentially turn her off from reading. A bit of a disclaimer--I'm not a parent so I could be way off.

 

[clh2]

My DD lost a library book too. Oddly enough, I KNEW she returned it, so I went with the librarian and we found it on the shelf in the library.

Always check the library shelves before you pay the money.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

My 7 year old first grader lost a $20 library book.

I have never actually seen this book.

Should she have to pay for it to learn a lesson or is she too young?

Find out if it is really lost 1st.

I just went through this with my 7yo D. She INSISTED she took out a HP book, hardcover. My DS has all the HP books, but in softcover. I would KNOW if there had been a HO book laying around. I never saw it. I also never got a notice she was late with a book...so I sent a note in to her teacher, asking to confirm that she was missing this book. She came home with a note from the librarian, she did not have a book checked out.

If it was a case of me having to pay...I probably would of made her re-pay me at least a portion of the cost of the book.

 

[kbkids]

I had always told my DD is she lost the library book, she was paying for it. She's 8 and in 2nd grade. Well, this year, she goes to check out a book and they won't let her because she still has one at home. I know for a fact that she doesn't because she didn't bring one home on library day the week before - I check her backpack first thing when she walks in the door. I knew the book had never come home, so it had to still be at the school, and I just had a problem paying for a book that I knew was still on school property. Honestly, the library staff wasn't helpful at all. Totally another subject, but luckily, I happened to be up at the school when the incident happened, so her teacher mentioned it to me. I went back to the classroom and looked through her desk before the kids got back in the room. When the other kids got back in, her teacher asked if anyone had seen the book. Yup, one of the little boys raised his hand. It was in his desk - he thought it was one of the classroom books and had been reading it for the past few days.

 

[jedi_librarian]

I would also check to see if maybe one of her classmates borrowed it. I think the biggest negative of losing a library book is not the money, but having your borrowing privileges suspended (because then you can't check out more cool books!)

 

[Hannathy]

Definately check the Library shelf and have your daughter do it or yourself.
This happened to my daughter and the Librarian swore she checked, well my daughter later went to the shelf and there it was, not even an apology from the Librarian. Check a couple of weeks to in case some one else checked it out. Also check around the shelves in case in was re-shelved wrong.

My daughter was upset enough about thinking she had lost it that I wouldn't have made her pay we all make mistakes But that said if it was a case of her taking it to the park after me telling her not to she would be paying or earning it.

Boy don't they overcharge for those books? 20.00 must be the least amount they accept because that is what they told her she owed and we looked it up and even with "library binding" it was less. Good luck but don't pay too soon.

 

[dg39]

I wouldn't make her pay for it. I'm sure she didn't lose it on purpose. Accidents do happen. We all make mistakes. Being she's only 7, its probably misplaced on a shelf, under her bed, in her desk. Could be anywhere. I would most likely just purchase another and have her hand it in to the librarian and explain what happened.

 

[lilostitch]

I had always told my DD is she lost the library book, she was paying for it. She's 8 and in 2nd grade. Well, this year, she goes to check out a book and they won't let her because she still has one at home. I know for a fact that she doesn't because she didn't bring one home on library day the week before - I check her backpack first thing when she walks in the door. I knew the book had never come home, so it had to still be at the school, and I just had a problem paying for a book that I knew was still on school property. Honestly, the library staff wasn't helpful at all. Totally another subject, but luckily, I happened to be up at the school when the incident happened, so her teacher mentioned it to me. I went back to the classroom and looked through her desk before the kids got back in the room. When the other kids got back in, her teacher asked if anyone had seen the book. Yup, one of the little boys raised his hand. It was in his desk - he thought it was one of the classroom books and had been reading it for the past few days.

Funny! Thank goodness the little boy was so honest

 

[urglewurgle]

like everyone else said... make sure it's not just hiding somewhere...

if she HAS lost it... i wouldn't make her pay for it as such... but maybe do a few extra chores so she realises she needs to take good care of these things... but dont' be too hard on her!