I think son stole from store

[Anonymous]

Ok, so I'm a little on edge and can't do anything about it until tomorrow morning, but need to vent and maybe get some ideas before I speak to DS in the AM. DS is 9. Today, I bought DS ONE pair toy handcuffs and a few other toys for friends coming over XMas day. At home, I asked him to put everything under the tree. He did and then went to bed. Right before I went to bed, I looked under tree and noticed TWO pairs of handcuffs. I checked receipt and was only charged for ONE which is what I remember my DS handing me, ONE pair of toy cuffs. I had let him choose the toys in the toy isle while I was shopping, so he was alone for about ten minutes. First, I will talk to him. Assuming he did steal them, my thought is for him to return and apologize (grocery store) and no XMas toys. Maybe just give him his winter mittens and some other needed items, but not the toys. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Why do you assume he stole them? Maybe the clerk just didn't ring them up? Does he have a history of stealing? I don't really understand...

[Anonymous]

No, no history. But he handed me one set of cuffs and I put them on the grocery belt. There were not two cuffs on the belt.

[Anonymous]

What I notice is the word "one pair". Could this somehow have led to confusion?
Maybe the other pair was in the cart or something and got looked over?

Not saying it's impossible for a child to steal (I man the PTA school store full of tempting little trinkets, so I know), but still... why are you jumping to that conclusion?

[Anonymous]

If you determine that he did, then take him to the store and apologize. My brother did that as a kid and it didn't happen again. Don't take away all his christmas presents. It's too harsh.

[Anonymous]

I doubt he did this purposefully, OP b/c he put both under the tree. If he was trying to steal, he probably would have hidden the evidence.

I would put one pair and the receipt away. Ask him calmly about it tomorrow, but don't drive yourself crazy trying to return something tomorrow. You can rectify the situation, returning or paying for the extra pair after the holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you determine that he did, then take him to the store and apologize. My brother did that as a kid and it didn't happen again. Don't take away all his christmas presents. It's too harsh.

OP - agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I doubt he did this purposefully, OP b/c he put both under the tree. If he was trying to steal, he probably would have hidden the evidence.

I would put one pair and the receipt away. Ask him calmly about it tomorrow, but don't drive yourself crazy trying to return something tomorrow. You can rectify the situation, returning or paying for the extra pair after the holiday.

Ok, thanks.

[Anonymous]

My thoughts are that he might not have stolen them. He put them under the tree so no trying to hide them. You also bought several items. Maybe the extra pair got lost in the hussle and bussle

[Anonymous]

My husband went to Target this weekend to buy diapers, formula, a few other things and a new Kcup machine.when he got home I didn't like the machine he bought (too big) and asked him to return it and get a smaller one. Once there at customer service trying to return the machine, it was not on the receipt. He had not been charged for it and didn't even noticed it. Had he not gone back, we wouldn't even know....

My point is, sometimes things get overlooked. If a big item like a K machine wasn't charged by mistake, I can imagine this happening with a small toy. Don't assume he stole. Also, he is 9 - if he had stollen I doubt he would have put it under the tree.

[Anonymous]

I agree if he stole he wouldn't put it under the tree. Please just ask him nicely and lovingly. Do not accuse him of something like this on Christmas. He will remember this incident of you accusing him and not believing him the rest of his life.


Take away all of his presents??? Way way too harsh. Poor kid.

[Anonymous]

I concur.

Please do not take away ALL of his presents and just give him mittens.

Most esp. if you are not one hundred percent sure if you are correct or not.

Even so, that would be a very harsh penalty for what you think he did.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are way, way, ahead of yourself and you are basically proceeding to "Christmas Capital Punishment" for a first offender on an offense that even if proven (which it is not) would merit something like probation, a reprimand, or a stern warning.

Slow down, find out the facts, deal with what actually happened, and punish the offense proportionately. If your child made a mistake, explain the mistake, why it was not a good idea, and why it can't happen again. Have him write an essay. Don't link Christmas to punishments. Taking away Christmas would devastate your child forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you determine that he did, then take him to the store and apologize. My brother did that as a kid and it didn't happen again. Don't take away all his christmas presents. It's too harsh.

Totally agree.

He will be so angry that he may steal again (if he actually did knowingly) just out of spite...but be better at it next time.

[Anonymous]

If he did steal it, no xmas toys for him. Harsh, yes, but that behavior does not get rewarded. Let him earn back those gifts. Parents have to be more firm. Let that boy get upset, who cares.