Get the gentleman a towel, and a basin of turtle soup.
Seriously:
A watch (a real watch, not electronic - a Corum Admiral’s Cup, maybe)
A Spanish-style dueling rapier (they will be amazed at its novelty)
A good shaving kit with bone handles and badger bristles (for the 14 year old)
A high-quality pair of binoculars (do any large-breasted women with well-lit bedrooms live nearby?)
A good edition of Shakespeare or the works of the Greek or Roman scholars (if he wishes to rise above mere thuggery, he must be classically educated - philosophy, history, even a flair for the dramatic)
A giant-sized pack of condoms
What on earth did a 10yr old and 14yr old do that requires punishment since september that includes Christmas?
I hope it was damn serious.
If I understand correctly, they were warned in September (the beginning of the school year) that if their grades were unsatisfactory, electronic forms of amusement would be taken away.
The first round of report cards should have gone out recently. I’m assuming they were not satisfactory.
This certainly isn’t uncommon. My sister takes away her stepson’s PSP or her own son’s permission to play outside when they do poorly in school.
Go for what they like best.
When we were growing up, my oldest sister lost her use of the phone. My middle sister lost the permission to hang out with her friends. I never got punished, which was good because my mom would have had to take away my books and she’d never have done that.
Seconded. There are all kinds of interesting things at that place. I particularly enjoyed the American Girls and Boys Handy Books. These books are reprints of the 1887 and 1882 books, so they will NOT be PC. However, not only do these books have plenty of activities, they can be used as lessons in how people lived over 100 years ago. Your kids, being boys, probably won’t appreciate being given the American Girls Handy Book, even though it has plenty of activities that they could enjoy, but do get them the Boys book. There are lots and lots and LOTS of other things that the kids would enjoy from that site, too.
I have given multitool knives to youngsters of both sexes. The Leatherman Juice line is particularly well-received. However, most schools won’t allow kids to carry knives or other weapons, even if they are multi-tools, so I don’t know if your kids customarily need a screwdriver or corkscrew in their after school activities. I’ve also given multitools to adults, and again the recipients enjoy them.
Good for you for following through with your threat. I know it’s painful, but it really is worth it to discipline your kids. Me? I used to get grounded from the library and all recreational reading on occasion.
Bye bye squirrels. I got one in the early teens, but it wasn’t for Christmas. We were in Wards and there was a table display of gun peripherals. Dad just decided to get it for me with no special occasion, which made it memorable. The next day was squirrel hunting.
Comic books are old school.
Edmund Scientific is a fantastic resource for all things geektastic.
Khet. Laser chess is the only way to describe this game.
Chaos Tower is quite awesome in a newfangled gizmo erectorset kinda way.
Infrared Laser Tank Battle set. Awesome on many levels.
I may have missed it but a radio controlled anything would be fun.
That is an electronic device, just not a multimedia device.
How about a telescope for stargazing or astronomy?
It’s an electro-mechanical device. Not sure if this was meant as an Amish request. It’s certainly not a computer generated toy but may be considered high-tech.
Another vote for books.
I vote for plastic models and paint.
Or maybe the plywood / balsa type craft sets.
Bicycle is a big favourite of mine, as is skates and other such activities if they don’t already have them.
On the exes mum - I would tell her, and if she still wants to “ignore” your wishes then confiscate the toys (assuming that they would be given in front of you and that the ex supports the punishment)
Something that might be fun could also be “vouchers” of some sort for dance / karate / kendo / or whatever lessons…
Ehmm, isn’t the probation a kind of punishment? Isn’t the idea that they might not get the things they really want?
Furniture, decoration, paint, (posters from allposters.com) to make their rooms look “cool”. Of to better make homework there. Do they have good ergonomic chairs to sit in while doing homework? A desk at the right height? When was the last time you replaced their head pillow or their matress? Do they have a lockable box to store private stuff in?
Then when they get sent to their rooms, they will at least feel at home there.
I think the idea is that video games are a problem, so it’s probably best not to give a fire a gift of gasoline. A great non video game gift can be seen as a punishment by some kids.
As far as gifts go, I personally would say one is never too old for Legos. I would spend hours building things from our monstrous pile up until I graduated and left for boot camp.
14 is the perfect time for a tool set and a beater car. That way he can have a rockin’ car when he turns 16.
I’ll throw my hat in the LEGO camp. Or if they’re too superior for that, there’s k’nex or erector stuff. I’ve seen like roller coaster k’nex kits and such.
Books are nice, too. The new Michael Crichton book about pirates is entertaining, though probably best for over 15. I always liked “how stuff works” or “the way things work” or whatever they’re called books.
Perhaps a wristwatch? I think kids these days are being raised in a no-watch world (me included), and that’s probably not so good. Having to pull my phone out of my pocket to get the time, it’s like I’m a train conductor. Since it takes me longer to read analog clocks than digital, I prefer digital watches, but having a digital watch makes you look like a mook, so I prefer “anadigi” watches, ones with both, so if people see them you can say it’s got a digital watch for design’s sake, not because I still have to count by fives to figure out the time.
This one might be good. Wide straps like that are, I believe, “hip.” They are in bracelets at least.
I’d say books.
Creepy, quirky, weird, fascinating books.
WOW, thanks for all your replies! I didn’t get a chance to get online what with the scouts and tree duties this weekend.
But yes, the back story was that they were warned in September that they are old enough to not be badgered about their homework. I will ask once per day if it’s done or if they need help, after that, it’s their responsibility. The youngest (#3) is the only one who understood that I wasn’t kidding. I have told their dad that if his mom chooses not to respect me as a parent, the gifts will go home to her house until the next report card. Grandma had early and honest communication about what I expected from them this year. Trust me, they have plenty of electronic junk already.
The gun thing would be cool, but my dad is past his hunting days, and paintball guns are illegal in NYC limits. (missed the border by 100 feet!)
The youngest is getting a kids video camera, since he paid attention, plus some scouting camping gear he wants, and a chef dummy (he really like Jeff Dunham’s Peanut)
And I like the suggestions of that laser chess game, and the shaving kit for the oldest. My brothers are also getting him a sub zero mummy bag that he needs for the February trip. (He’s already been through the model planes and astronomy thing, and just gave a substantial amount of Legos and inex to #2 and #3)
Middle boy is not so easy, he’s not as hands-on crafty as the other two, but probably wouldn’t be disappointed by the right clothes. I’ve been trying to decide if that toy that he can control with his mind is an electronic or not. Tickets to something might be cool, maybe I should check to see if there will be monster trucks or a rodeo at MSG soon possibly too $$ though.
Books and or a B&N gift certificate are always an add on every year.
thanks again everyone!
Argent Towers he’s gotten the talk, more than once already, but are you trying to kill my mom? The binocular thing though, there is an all girls catholic high school across the street…