The £5 pencil

The Holiday club where my son goes told me in no uncertain terms that they would not be in the following day. A trip to Yorkshire Wildlife Park was planned and an extra £10 was required if my child was coming to be looked after. "It's up to you if you want him to have spending money" the lady said.."But £5 maximum".

That evening I told my son he was going on a trip and that I'd give him some spending money. He asked why he'd need money and I muttered "err you might want to buy...a pencil or something". 

In my experience these places seemed to specialise in stationery which advertised themselves. It was a clever ploy really, selling you advertising. 

"Why would I want a pencil?" He said. 

"True" I replied. 

The following morning I paid his £10 and decided he would need only £2 for sweets or an Ice cream. I saw the carer have an envelope which she was writing all the spending money of kids on. It was a long list of £5, £5, £5....

I whispered "He's got £2 in his pocket" 

I left feeling tight but with the voice in my head thinking that the first person had put £5 and then sheer peer pressure had forced the hands of the following parents. 

I imagined everyone buying some great thing which cost £3 or more that he couldn't afford. As it goes he bought a wristband which starts off straight and ties around his wrist automatically. 

So it all worked out in the end.