Its A Privilege, Not A Right

I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears pierced. Remember this was back in 1978 and it was a bit more "taboo" than it is today. My sisters children follow this rule. However, I had changed my mind and said my girls could do it at 8 when they get baptized and are accountable for their decisions. Haylie has been talking about this for months. She is so tired of buying clip-on earrings at Claires. But whoa is Haylie. We have been having issues with her stealing ("borrowing in her mind") from others for quite awhile. Nothing seemed to be important enough for her to stop, not treats, not cash, not grounding, not taking away privileges, not anything. We couldn't find something that she felt strong enough about. Until the ear piercing. Her 8th birthday is in 16 days. And she is not going to have the privilege of piercing her ears. See, I don't feel this is a "right" just because you are a girl. This is a privilege that has to be earned. So she now has to go 6 months without taking anything. It can't be from me, her dad, her sister, her friends, no one. We have made her a 12 month calendar and will mark off the days until that 6 months is up. Each time she comes home with something that does not belong to her, an additional day will be added. And fortunately for us, we know all her hiding places. I hope that this will instill in her the seriousness of her actions.