My 8 year old smashed my LCD television , what kind if any punishment?

1. he doesn't get the game system back for at least 1 full year.

2. He works chores for you @ $5 per hour until he comes up with the price of the TV.

Sounds like it was an honest 8 year old mistake to me. Because the TV will have to be replaced due to his carelessness, you might determine a set amount of money he would work off through chores that would go toward helping to replace the broken TV. As an example, give him several different special "projects" to do on Saturdays that would take most of the day to complete. Then tell him that after he has finished the chores and you've inspected them, that he has contributed $$$ toward the replacement/repair of the TV. Not "real" money, of course, and only a small but meaningful portion of the total cost. This will teach your son that even though accidents do happen, broken items still have to be fixed or repaired. No need to fuss about it because it really is just a life lesson to learn. Also take your son with you to a store to "check" on the prices of a new TV and settle on a fair amount that he will need to contribute from his chores. I think it will make your son feel like he has contributed A LOT to taking care of the problem.

I truly admire your son for his honesty AND YOU for the good parental relationship you have with him. That is so hard to find these days and is so special when you find parents/children that are that close. Congratulations to you both, Dad! You seem to be a VERY good parent.

Thats a tough one. When I saw the question my first thought was to beat his *** but after reading the details I said no to that.

Make him go to relatives and neighborhood houses (that you know are safe) and have him ask for chores to do. Rake their leaves, bathe the dog, wash the car etc. Have a jar set by the broke tv and all money he earns is to go in this jar. You can't expect him to raise the 2000 but I'm sure he can earn quite a bit. Make him work a good while before you give in so he will learn the old rule - If you break it - you buy it. He should have came to you and not wait until he was confronted. It's too bad the whole family has to suffer.

I'm sorry, but my kids are 7 & 8 and they know better than to behave like that. It would take quite a bit of force to smash an LCD on "accident". I do think that while you appreciate his honesty his behavior has consequences. I think he needs to have his allowance garnished until he can pay for part of the tv replacement.

Have you checked with your homeowners insurance company to see if the breakage would be a covered loss? Chances are that your deductible would be less than the cost to replace the tv. It's worth a shot at making the call.

Not a whole lot to do. An accident is just that . I know there where some proplems with the Wii controllers and them sliping out of hands. As you said. the punishment is already dished out. You can start a family fund you can ask your son to contribute to by earning with chores. That way he will feel like he does contribute to fixing the problem he accidently created.

It is a start that he feels bad. Now he must learn the consequenses of what he did. Explain, if you haven't already, what his actions cost everyone in the family. No good TV, etc.

(This will help him to realize his impact on other people). Offer to help him pay half the cost ot the TV. Then give him jobs to do around the house that are not part of his regular chores. Tell him you will pay him an hourely rate. Decide what the rate will be, and stick to it.

He seems to have punished himself pretty well, the good old fashion way where the punishment definitely fits the crime (no tv/video games).

If it is just the screen that he broke, you can usually buy a replacement screen. Check around online. I'm not sure of their price.

If you're feeling rather juicy, you could have him "work" to help pay for the new screen (if you decide to take that route). Doing chores, helping neighbors shovel snow, etc.

Tell him that when you do get another TV then he isn't allowed to watch it for a month, and right now he isn't allowed to go to any friends houses to watch TV.

And people can say not to punish for accidents all they want, but there are never any real accidents. If he had bothered to watch what he was doing and taken better care, then there would never had been an "accident". He was being somewhat reckless or over-enthusiastic, so it comes down to it being his fault and something which could have been prevented, and can be prevented in other matters in the future.

You could sell his Wii and games to help buy a new TV. But if it was truly an accident, then he probably feels bad and does not need to be punished.

I believe that your punishment has already taken place. The fact that you're grown and playing street hockey with 8 year olds shows how many friends you have, no? [Relax, I'm kidding.]