Sanction for broken laptop screen

[BoffinMum]

I could do with some MN views. DS (11) has been having a tough time transferring from primary to secondary school and has been very volatile. For some complex psychological reason probably related to this, he felt impelled to crack his laptop screen. Normally I would rollick him and dock his allowance for ages, but this time I am wondering whether another strategy might be more appropriate. Ideas?

[lljkk]

Amends? Extra jobs until he's paid for replacement?

Did he just lash out or how did it happen?

[BoffinMum]

Lashed out, I think. He's normally very controlled so it puzzles me.

We have decided to get him to pay half, from his allowance.

[lljkk]

What are his issues at school?

[BoffinMum]

He was at a lovely little primary where he did really well, and he misses it and his friends badly. He has very few friends at new school. Doing OK academically but politely panicking about whether he might fail. He is rather young for his age too.

[lljkk]

Is he in a very high pressure school?

I have one with effectively no friends & he just about manages ok at primary but I fear what will happen at secondary if he still can't make friends.

[BoffinMum]

No, it's quite a cuddly school actually.