WWYD?

cjtcc

I don't know what to do here, I need some advice. I had to run to wal mart to get some stuff and after we left I noticed TJ had taken a football and I didnt pay for it. I am not sure he knows that he stole or that what he did was wrong, so I don't know how to handle this. No clue.. please please help.

DevonPow

Explain to him that you can't take things without paying for them, take it back to the store, and apologize. Don't make it into a punishment thing since he may not have known, but you now need to use it as a teaching opportunity.

Halo79RN

DevonPow:

Explain to him that you can't take things without paying for them, take it back to the store, and apologize. Don't make it into a punishment thing since he may not have known, but you now need to use it as a teaching opportunity.

 

ditto. he doesn't know. he just saw a ball and wanted it.  Just explain that we cannot just take things from a store. we must buy them.  Now we have to go return them.  Take him with you when you return it and then leave it at that.   It's like when we're at the grocery store and my kids want something like a chocolate milk or a snack... I tell them they can (if they can that day, don't do it every time) and then don't let them consume it until we've paid.  

don't feel bad or worry too much. these things happen... I had a friend who was looking at purses and had put one on her shoulder while looking around.. purchased some items and left with the new purse on her shoulder... had to turn around and bring it back in ... she was mortified... but people forget or don't see or whatever.  I once saw a kid... probably 6 or 7 in a kmart (yeah, I worked in a kmart one summer of h.s) who snatched something... the alarm went off and he was embarrassed and hid it.. they discovered what it was and his momma BEAT him in the lobby area of kmart... she was smacking him upside the head ... we had to call security. it was awful!  Poor kid.  

gisellems

DevonPow:

Explain to him that you can't take things without paying for them, take it back to the store, and apologize. Don't make it into a punishment thing since he may not have known, but you now need to use it as a teaching opportunity.

i agree with this totally!

brittneycc1982

Ohh, M stole a book before.  I noticed when putting her in the car though so I just brought it back into them.  They appriciated it and laughed it off.

momofolivia

go back to the store and have him help you return it.  don't make it a big deal - cause it isn't.  they aren't going to do anything since you are returning it.

musicgirl03

I"m sorry if I offend anyone when I say this, but I wouldn't care if he took it. Walmart makes a crap load of money every hour!  But on the "Mom's" perspective I would tell him, first the lady/guy needs to scan it for us to pay for it.  We do that all the time to our daughter.  But if we happen not to see if she took something, then I wouldn't care (only if its Walmart), but I would tell her its not right.