The Penalty is Steep Enough

This week Jada starts violin lessons at school.  In advance, I was given a packet of papers to sign.  One of them obligates me to shell out $250 if Jada loses the violin.  I pointed to that line and told her that if she loses the violin, she's paying 100 percent of that penalty.  She gulped and said she doesn't have that kind of money.  "Well, you better not lose the violin, then."  She got the message. 

Look, I realize she's 8 and prone to leaving things behind.  But part of growing up is learning to overcome bad habits.  I'm glad the penalty for forgetting is steep enough that she will be sufficiently motivated to remember.  Let's hope she doesn't forget.