Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

Switch

Album: 46: A Date with Dad (and other Calamities)

Episode: 591

Lesson/Theme: Managing money

Bible Verse: Matthew 25:29

Characters: Ed, Elaine, Marvin, Tamika, Whit

Writer: John Fornof

Sound Designer: Jonathan Crowe

Original Air Date: April 22, 2006

Last Air Date: December 20, 2008

Description:
Is it easier to be a kid and not have to worry about anything, or to be an adult and be independent and have money? Whit has an interesting way for the Washingtons to find out: switch roles! Whit switched with his children when they asked him the same question, and now he volunteers to serve as a referee for the Washington family experiment. At first, Tamika and Marvin are thrilled with their new freedom. Since Marvin is going to be going to work in Ed’s place, Whit gives him an advance of $150 dollars, which Marvin splits with Tamika. They now have the freedom to buy things they want, but they soon realize that being an adult comes with more responsibilities. Marvin is late for work because he stayed up too late. Tamika can’t cook and has to figure out how to feed the whiny kids (Ed and Elaine). Meanwhile, Mr. Whittaker makes it even more interesting by representing different institutions that need to be paid regularly: the government, the landlord, the electric company, and an insurance agent. Because they spent all their money, Tamika and Marvin don't have enough to put a decent meal on the table or pay all the bills, which results in the Washingtons' electricity being shut off. Tamika and Marvin are left to re-evaluate how much they really need the extravagant things that they bought in light of their current situation, and Ed and Elaine take the opportunity to point out what they've been trying to tell the kids all along – they can’t always afford everything they want, and managing money can be a difficult thing to do. Lesson learned, the Washington family goes back to normal, but with new appreciation and respect for each other.

Questions:
.