Ok how do I handle when I just made a honest mistake and in front of my kids?

Anonymous wrote:We just were at a sporting good store and I bought a bunch of items and was in between sunglasses for my husband for Father’s Day and was holding multiple in my hand to show kids so we could decide on one. I paid for over $100 worth of items, packed car up and just drove 45 minutes home. When I unpacked, I realized I had another pair that I must have been holding and didn’t pay for! What do I do? I feel terrible but I can’t go back right now as by time I get back there, they will be closed for evening. Do I call them right now and tell them I will drop them off this week but own up to my mistake and tell them what happened? Dh says that is weird and just that next time we are there (we go every few days), just run them back in. I feel terrible and also want kids to see I handled this to best I could.

Wait, seriously? You are going to a sporting goods store every few days?

report

06/16/2020 13:13

Subject: Ok how do I handle when I just made a honest mistake and in front of my kids?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:Make sure you also mention that it's likely no one challenged you because of what you look like (middle-aged lady with kids in tow, presumably white and/or prosperous). Point out that if you had been a teenager (esp with friends) or a POC, things might have gone very differently, even if it was an honest mistake.

I had an incident recently where my mistake was clearly chalked up to "ditzy older mom." I had DC with me and we talked about what would have happened if it had been him and his teen buddies instead.

This is the opposite of what you should do. Don't make this a bigger issue than it needs to be.

report

06/16/2020 13:32

Subject: Ok how do I handle when I just made a honest mistake and in front of my kids?

quote

Anonymous

How old Are you, six? Good lord, you take them back to the store, give them back and apologize. Then, you grow up!