Would you take all the books? Dh thinks I'm mean

[krysalyss]

I don't think it is being mean, more that it is a consequence. A week isn't that long. If you found that you were having to do it all of the time so that most of the time they didn't have books then I think you would have to go with a different approach but I think in this case what you have done is perfectly reasonable.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Just my perspective, as someone who did go over the top about minor damage to books: Liebling has had books in his room ever since, is allowed free access to ALL books in the house, including mine, and no further damage. Some books do have colouring pages and he asks before he colours those in. I tell him that I have bought him an activity book so he knows he can colour those, as opposed to normal books.

I did apologise to Liebs for going over the top about an accidental rip caused by eagerness to see the whole book. The next day, when I had calmed down. (I did say my reaction was over the top!). He has not damaged a book since. Not even by accident. Some favourite books have literally been read to death and have fallen apart: I have repaired them. Or, in the case of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, bought a second copy when it fell apart the third time and was more tape than book.

So I personally would advocate a sterner punishment than needed and you don't back down - I did because what I did was inappropriate; I don't believe your reaction was. It worked well for me.