when my son got angery he had a board nails and hammer to take his anger out on one thing that gets to me is when a parent says i pick my battles what battles a rule should be a rule

If you didn't take action in this circumstance, what is the next thing he is going to damage in anger?

Children need to learn to be responsible for their actions - bad or good. Makes them responsible adults.

Three cheers for you Grandma. I was never fast enough to find a fair and reasoniable solution to these kinds of problems. What the boy did definitely needed a form of punishment. Yours was fair and done with love.

The only regret I have as a parent is that I didn't do this very thing myself!!!! Now we live with the result. I kick myself every day. Good job. I hope the parents are with you on this because everyone should be responsible for raising children. Mixed messages don't help at all. The best answer was also that you do it with love- not anger!

You were far more lenient than I would have been and I see no need for him to get the money back.

I think you did good. :D

I think it was a very good lesson. How else will he learn he shouldn't do that kind of thing.

I too, think you did the right thing. Children need to know that when they make choices, they must pay the concequences, good or bad. It teaches them the value of money, and also teaches them the value of choice

I think you did absolutely the right thing and hopefully made him realize that he cannot break things and not have the consequences. Certainly should not have got flack for your reaction !

You are right for doing that - I applaud you!