School trips

[Pops]

My oldest daughter has been in the band for 4 years, and has gone to 3 of the 4 trips. We didn't let her go her first year, because she had no accumulated enough money in her account yet. Well, now our youngest daughter is in the marching band. It's her first year, and she won't be able to go. She is really bummed! All of her little friends are going, but not her. What can we do to make her feel better about this situation?

 

[Maxsdad]

Just explain to her that her sister did not get to go her first year either. Give her ways that she can earn money so that she is able to go next year. I mean what would it hurt to fundraise on her own too as well as with the band.

 

[Aiden]

Let her know that you're working on it and this time around you can't afford it. Maybe it will make her want to find ways to make money to help pay for the next time around. Just a thought.

 

[Pops]

See, the thing is. We do have money in her account. Enough money, that she actually could have gone on the trip. Unfortunately, she found out about this. That is our problem. The fact that she knows she HAS the money to go, but still can't. Does that make sense...?

 

[Scott]

See, the thing is. We do have money in her account. Enough money, that she actually could have gone on the trip. Unfortunately, she found out about this. That is our problem. The fact that she knows she HAS the money to go, but still can't. Does that make sense...?

Not sure I'm understanding. What's preventing the younger daughter from going if money isn't the problem? Are you saying she's being held back from going out of a sense of "fairness" -- the older sister couldn't go the first year so neither should the younger?

Was the younger girl lied to... told money was the problem and then she later found out and feels betrayed? Or something else?

 

[Pops]

It started off as a money issue, but she did a little fundraising (maybe a little too much!) and before we knew it that added up. At the beginning of the year (when they sign up for the trip) she wouldn't have had enough in her account to cover it. Later on in the year, she did have enough to cover it. So, it wasn't really a lie.

 

[WillyWonka]

Just explain that to her. Tell her it wasn't enough when they needed the money to be in. Also tell her that sometimes things just happen and it's not anyone's fault.

 

[KrazyRon]

She's going to have hurt feelings over it whatever you do. Try your best and then let it go. Kids have to learn that sometimes the world and life just isn't fair. It's better they learn this when they're young so they can learn to cope with your guidance.

 

[TopPop]

There's no way for her to sign up to go now? It's just too late? That really kind of is a shame because she did her part with the fundraising and now she can't reap her reward. Maybe you and your wife could do something special with her while the trip is taking place.