OT... Parenting help,,, would you call..

[Woodstock]

Not good. It is certainly not displaying good character for a child of that age. I do not think that I would allow such behavior in my home. I do feel for the child though

[lcstorc]

As usual Woodstock and I are on very much the same page. Nothing beats a sit down with all parties involved. Hopefully the parents will be concerned as they should be. My most frequent response to my step-kids in most any situation is to tell them to reverse it. How would they feel if someone did whatever to them. If you can really get them to think about it, it frequently makes a difference.
I agree blue-eyes there is a big difference between cookies and money. Both are stealing but somehow it just makes a difference.
You say you know the parents. What are they like? Many teens act out due to frustrations at home.
Just thinking.

[Witfull]

let the cowardly reef rat sleep with Davey Jones~

[billyr98]

i think if you know the parents, you should be comfortable to tell them.. tough call but I would...

[cheeks69]

What I would do is confront the teen and give him a couple of days for him to confess to his parents what he did, if he does not then I would go to the parents. If the teen does this more than once then he would be banned from my home.

[Gina]

I would certainly call the parents and have everyone involved in the room at the same time like Doni said.
Cheeks idea is also a good one but, I think the parents need to be made aware of what their child is doing.
Good luck and let us know what happens.

[boozeman]

set up a web cam and then mail the video caught in the act to his/her parents

[BoomerD]

Originally Posted by cheeks69

What I would do is confront the teen and give him a couple of days for him to confess to his parents what he did, if he does not then I would go to the parents. If the teen does this more than once then he would be banned from my home.

Sorry, I guess I'm not so forgiving. After the first offense, he'd be banned until he could convince me he had "repented. Only them might the scurvy scoundrel be allowed back aboard m' vessel...and then, with supervision...

[cheeks69]

I think we forget that we've all been teenagers and have done dumb things including stealing, we all deserve a second chance...I see it as an opportunity to teach the teen a lesson. Now if we're talking about it happening more than once then I absolutely agree that a firm response is necessary and banning him/her from your home would be the next step.

Cheeks idea is also a good one but, I think the parents need to be made aware of what their child is doing.

Absolutely and giving the teen an opportunity to admit his error to the parents would be best, if he/she does not then it is your obligation to inform the parents.

[blue_eyes53813]

Thanks all,,, This is what I did the otherday actually before posting this,,, But I feel bad because I feel the parents are mad , well I havent heard from them..

I called the boy right after my son noticed more $ was missing . I asked him if he knew what happened to the rest of the $ and he of course said no.. I was nice.. I just left it at that.

The next day one of the boys friends came up to my son and admitted he did take the $ and was laughing about it.. I was angry because he not only stold but lied about it than.

I did call and talk to the dad (who by the way is a very very nice guy) I explained the whole situation and he said he would talk to his son about it. The dad called me back like 10 minutes later and said his son was very upset and he said he didnt take it. I just left it at that.

The following day at school the boys friend once again approached my son and said he had the $ with him that day at school...

I told my son that day to just forget it, my son is devistated because he thinks that he is his best friend he ever had and the world is gonna end...

SO needless to say My son lost his best friend and the parents think im the liar.... So thats how life is I guess,, But moral of the story is ,lol KIDS CAN BE LITTLE ****S....

I told my son for one,,, if you ever steal I'll break your fingers and for 2 I will break your fingers and oh yea you will never forget it,,, Im a mean mom.. lol

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by BoomerD

Arrrr, keelhaul the theivin scoundrel! Give him 40 lashes with thine cat-o-nine tails fer bein such a dastardly bilge-rat...

LOL! good one boomerD How old are these kids? Mines 8 and id just repremand the theif atm and let the parents know for sure. I would want to know if my kiddo did somthing like that so i could bring it to an end. NOT THAT MY PRINCESS WOULD!

[blue_eyes53813]

oHH I forgot,,, That I was wandering for days if I shoudl have called the parents or just left it alone.... But Woodstock is right... My first thought was ... If my kids ever misbehave i wanna hear it...

[Kensn]

As a parent I would want to know if my child was responsible for the theft. Wouldn't you? Even if it didn't turn out all roses at least you would have a feel for the other childs parents....

[KMP]

SO needless to say My son lost his best friend and the parents think im the liar.... So thats how life is I guess,, But moral of the story is ,lol KIDS CAN BE LITTLE ****S....

Parenting can be challenging. Trust your instincts, do what you know is right, and let the cards fall where they may. It's trying times like this that you find out who's a friend and as it pertains to the parents - who has good moral standing.

Like many of you, I would want to know if my kid was being disrespectful to others or their property.

Bottomline...bad news doesn't get better over time. You did the right thing

[Witfull]

Vicki, if you think you did the right thing, you did. for your son, its a welcome to the real world. i hate to sy it, but it may be best for him to find out now over a few dollars, rather something more. i wish you both my best. just think, i might be serving the thief breakfast~