She won't do that again - Real Mum story on MoM

16 Comments

Last week we had to attend a funeral (whole different, tragic story). My dear darling husband tried on his suit, and at the age of 44 has apparently had a growth spurt. Off to the op shop to find a suit…
At the op shop I found a couple of likely candidates, but he wasn’t there to try them on. Although they don’t normally hold items, the ladies kindly agreed to do so. Meanwhile Miss 4 has been browsing the toys. I had already told her she could have 1 thing – no more. She picked a lunchbox. Ok. Went to pay for it – it was only a dollar, but the lady said she could just have it. So off we went. A few hours later, we were off to pick up some bits and pieces, when she tells me she had put a toy in her lunchbox. Thinking she meant a toy at home, I said ok. Then it clicked – she had put a toy in at the op shop. She had actually stolen a toy. I suddenly realised this was my first real parenting situation…
I explained to her how and why it was so wrong. Many tears. I explained I was very disappointed. Many more tears. I explained she would be taking the money from her piggy bank, returning the toy to the shop, apologising and making a donation of the cost of the toy. Uncontrollable sobbing.
I made her carry out this dreadful punishment.
Here’s hoping she never, ever does that again!

Posted by katelt, 29th January 2016

16 Comments

- - RA1234756 said
  - 20 Apr 2023
    2:06 pm
Her fault was trying to deceive you. She had no concept of stealing. You may have overdone it in the heat of the moment.

- - mom57619 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    8:24 pm
These are hard situations to deal with, aren’t they?

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 22 Feb 2016
    8:31 pm
she wouldn’t understand, it was just empty and she filled it, understand the need for showing her the right way, but it doesn’t sound premeditated

- - serotonin said
  - 13 Feb 2016
    10:59 am
I remember being young and not understanding theft until I learnt a valuable lesson, and my eldest daughter has done the same. I think you handled it perfectly. Glad to know it’s a fairly common lesson. Thanks for sharing.

- - BellaB said
  - 05 Feb 2016
    10:35 pm
In fairness, maybe she didn’t realise she’d be stealing… And she did tell you quickly… But I think you did the right thing.

- - mum888 said
  - 01 Feb 2016
    9:30 pm
Great discipline, well done . It shows that you are a mother who is determined to teach right from wrong .

- - mom94125 said
  - 01 Feb 2016
    3:44 pm
that was what you needed to do. i haven’t been in this situation but i think that you did get through to her. Maybe you have had a good chat with her and asked her why she felt that she needed to do that. did she really want the toy AND the lunchbox or did she try for attention from you later? i just want you to have the best outcome and so she knows that you still love her but not the behaviour. you had to guide her in the right path so well done to you!

- - mom56312 said
  - 01 Feb 2016
    2:24 pm
A Hard job well one, I wish more parents would teach their kids the right and wrongs in the world…

- - pakeko said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    8:23 pm
Handled well hope it is the last time you have to teach this lesson

- - rachelvk said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    9:00 pm
You handled that situation very well. Good on you!

- - mom90758 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    2:03 pm
I think you acted very well. She did something wrong and asking her to take responsibility for that was the right way to go.

- - mum4107 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    5:46 am
I think you handle that really well. Good on you

- - mom165744 said
  - 29 Jan 2016
    3:35 pm
You handled the situation well. Hopefully its a mistake she’ll never make again.

- - mom165081 said
  - 29 Jan 2016
    1:37 pm
Do you know if the toy was in the box before or after she was told she could have the lunch box? If it was in before, her upset is understandable – if not, then ok… Some lessons are tough.
- katelt replied
  
  31 Jan 2016 , 10:01 pm
  She deliberately put the toy in to hide it! I was impressed though that she admitted she had stolen by herself. If she hadn’t have told me I would probably have never known…
  - mom165081 replied
    
    01 Feb 2016 , 12:28 am
    
    Given this, you handled the situation well – some lessons are tough and as a parent you have a responsibility to teach your child.