More on Ron and I'm out...

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 60376

Patricia: 

> 
> Unfortunately, in learning one lesson -- the value of a galleon -- 
he
> would be losing out on many others -- Transfiguration, Potions, 
Charms,
> etc.  It's not clear that Ron would be allowed to attend classes 
*at all*
> if he did not buy even the basic required texts, and even if he did 
attend
> his ability to learn would be severely impaired.  Either his 
parents would
> have to dole out the extra money for the robes and books after all, 
thus
> defeating the intended lesson (Ron acts irresponsibly and gets both 
the
> necessities *and* a new broom -- great lesson, eh?), or he would 
miss out
> on a year of schooling.  I'd say missing out on his fifth year 
lessons
> (whether because he has to leave school or because he can't keep up 
due to
> lack of materials) would be a greater disservice.  Ron can always 
learn
> about managing money in a few years, when he has some money of his 
own,
> but fifth year potions is only offered once.
>  I'm all for letting teens learn about money by letting them manage 
some of their own, but only after the true necessities have been 
covered.  Ron is still not an adult yet, however much he might want 
to be treated like one, and his parents would be neglecting their 
responsibilities if they didn't ensure his education was provided 
for.  So, books and robes first (but get Ron's input on the robes, 
since he's the one who has to wear them), then let Ron prioritize the 
rest of what he wants with whatever money is left.


So, Ron gets everything he needs except what? Chewing gum for the 
train ride? That's prioritizing????

Buy books first and then give Ron money for clothes. If he buys one 
brand-new robe for the price of several second-hand items, well, 
he'll be doing a lot of laundry, won't he? If he buys a broom, then 
maybe he will go starkers.

(Actually, I bet the house-elves do laundry. In that case, Ron will 
be up in the dorm a lot, waiting for the house elves to finish so he 
can put on some clothes.)

I'd still prefer to make him buy everything. Let him sweat not having 
books for a while until he decides he needs to return some brand-new 
stuff and then hits the second-hand book store.

And if, God forbid, he buys something that can't be returned or 
breaks it, then take the thing away from him and deduct weekly 
payments from his allowance until he pays it off. THEN, and only 
then, does he get it back. 

If he doesn't like it, then he can find another Burrow to live in.

Darrin
-- Actual conversation between a friend of mine and his father.

"Son, I want you to take out the trash."
"What will you give me if I do it?"
"Dinner."