Kids these days...

...are so very spoilt....to the extent that they absolutely do NOT value the things that they have. They have this idea that it's their RIGHT to own things, be it the latest iPod or mobile phone or game consoles. They do NOT see that these things are a PRIVILEGE.

Why do I say this? 

H bought both boys a Nokia mobile phone each for Xmas. It may not be the top-of-the-line model, but does have the music and camera functions; and cost USD 100/each. 

What do you know?

S1 has lost his phone....and this is less than 1 1/2 months of owning it (as the received the gift after we came back from Malaysia in early January)!

Boy. Was I mad with the irresponsibility.

What made it worse was when I queried him, he said "It's not my fault".

GOSH!! Then whose fault is it?? 

I was so cheesed-off and ANGRY WORDS were exchanged between S1 and I, coupled with ugly and aggressive facial expressions from S1 (and me, I'm sure!!) 

Then in exasperation, he said "Alright, it's just a mistake. Ok????" (think to shut me up!!)

Which got me going about the time he left his gameboy on the plane....and at that time, this was what he said as well. The gameboy incident did NOT improve his responsibility on taking care of his things. So when will he start to be a little moreresponsible????

Told him that he has to use his own pocket money to purchase another phone. I will NOT be paying for it, and he is NOT going to get his dad to buy it. IF the dad buys one, I will confiscate it (When I told H about this, he said he will pay for HALF of the new phone. I said "No way!! " He has to learn to be responsible. If he loses something because of his irresponsibility, he will have to suffer the consequences. I don't want the kids to think that money grows on trees and that they can anyhow abuse the privileges that are bestowed on them!). 

Also, S1 had been looking forward to upgrading his online game character this weekend. And as a punishment for his TIDAK-APA attitude, I will with-hold this privilege for a MINIMUM of one month. I'll evaluate his level of responsibility during this time and decide if he deserves this privilege. 

At the time of writing this post, I've calmed down ALOT. You should see me just now. Eyes bulging OUT of my sockets, and the tongue lashing NON-STOP! And when mom called to wish S2 happy chinese birthday, she could hear me scolding and screaming. After the phone call, she texted me to tell ADVISE me that scolding and screaming does NOT work....hrmmmf (I seem to remember mom scolding me and chasing me with the rotan last time...but now, when I scold my kids, you can actually see her tears forming in her eyes...why ah??)

I donno...I still say KIDS these day are blardy SPOILT.