A good deed should be reward enough, otherwise its bordering on extortion. If she wanted to give them a reward, she should do it.
Now, depending on my financial situation at the time I would probably give them a buck or so each for an ice cream ir something, but not if the mom demanded it.
She should have taught him that it's the right thing to return lost items not teach them that you get a reward for doing the right thing. Now he will expect it and if he isn't rewarded he won't feel an incentive to do anything without compensation
Now, depending on my financial situation at the time I would probably give them a buck or so each for an ice cream ir something, but not if the mom demanded it.