"Mom!!!"

"What?" "I lost my money."

"Where did you see it last?" "I put it next to my ATM machine and now it's gone."

Yes. My son has his own ATM machine. It's like the Hello Kitty piggy bank I had when I was six, only much much cooler. And not pink.

"Go look for it. Use your looking eyes."

"It's not there." "MAMA. IT'S NOT HERE!!!" He screams from the top of the stairs. By the time he reaches the bottom the tears have formed. "I lost five dollars of my chore money."

My little guy loves money. Actually. He loves making money and isn't so willing to spend it. Ever since we introduced an allowance he has been saving it in his ATM machine (which sorts, counts, give balances, and allows withdrawals).

"I know how to solve the problem, Mama."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"How can you solve this problem?" I love listening to my children's problem solving and often problem solve out loud to myself. It's how we ended up in the penthouse on our European vacation.

"You can give me your 5 dollars and when I find my old 5 dollars I can re-pay you."

"Well, that's funny."

"Why?"

"What if I was a bank and you walked in and said I lost my money and I need you to give me some and when I find my money I will repay you. Isn't that weird, Jay?" giggle. "It's funny isn't it?" giggle. "Well. Not really. That's what the automakers said to the government. And the banks too." My husband joins the conversation. (Insert evil glares directed at the husband from the wife) "That is funny, Jay. I can not give you 5 dollars simply because you lost your own. Work hard to find it. The money never left the house."

"But... Daddy... government... banks...." He wipes his eyes.

"Money doesn't have feet. It could not have just walked away and must be somewhere in your room. Look hard to find it." It has been over 24 hours and the kid has not shown the motivation to find it. I know where it is. It's behind his desk underneath his red foam shield. And. I'm not going to tell him. Why? Because I want him to be motivated to find it on his own and appreciate it.