Gee Baxter...... I hate to say it but I think what you did was wonderful! Once I ignored one of my daughters Birthdays and she never forgot it, and she never forgot mine again either.
It is hard to be tough but us softies have to learn!
Rosied, What happens if you don't have the money to send your son? Does he go barefoot or does the prison kick in? Don't they earn money also to pay for things?