MY SON DID THE UNTHINKABLE

My 9 year old son shoplifted a watch at Sears during an access visit with his father.

This Thursday, Feb 19 I have arranged with Sears Security to talk with him to "scare him straight" and to return the watch. I almost died when I found out from daycare (where he was flashing the watch). He wants to be a policeman when he grows up. Hope Security has a good talking with him. He knows what he did was wrong and the reason he took it is because he liked it and it looked nice. I think after this he will have learned a lesson. I never ever expected he would do anything like this.

Well luv, children often give in to their impulses. I like that you are making him face the music. You can use this as a great tool in impressing your son to always do the right thing....

luv4u said:

As long as he knows what he did was wrong - and is truly remorseful... he'll be okay. It's good that you're taking him back to the store to face the music - so to speak, maybe he'll think twice before he does something like that again.

Good Job, Mom!

(ps. Be careful when approaching stores regarding issues such as this. Some stores have a zero tolerance policy, regardless of the age of the shoplifter. They can impose a $200.00 + fine on you right then and there... or threaten to call the police. I'm all for teaching a child the dangers of shoplifting, but - I'd rather pick the punishment. As for the fine, a tad extreme when dealing with what a child would take... but they're doing it. Check the store's policy first.)

June7 said:

Oh I called the store manager who in turn referred me to Security. Yeah, this is one lesson he will never forget and hopefully he will think twice next time.

luv4u said:

Does his father know he did this? Is he involved in the punishment?

June7 said:

No his father does not know and I prefer to keep it that way as I am going through divorce and he was an abusive husband/father. The less he knows the better. And no he is not involved in the punishment. It is hush, hush. My son knows he will not be told (he fears his father).
[This message was edited Tue Feb 17 11:43:38 2004 by luv4u]

luv4u said:

Poor kid... My love to both of you.

Hope everything works out with this...

June7 said:

No his father does not know and I prefer to keep it that way as I am going through divorce and he was an abusive husband/father. The less he knows the better. And no he is not involved in the punishment. It is hush, hush. My son knows he will not be told (he fears his father).
[This message was edited Tue Feb 17 11:43:38 2004 by luv4u]

luv4u said:

Hmm, a complicated situation. On one hand it´s better if the father doesn´t know since your son might get into (serious) trouble if he does. On the other hand this could be a good opportunity to get a court order saying that the father can´t meet your son at all (since he allowed this to happen), which seems to be a good idea since the father is abusive and scares your son anyway. On the third hand , a parent should always have the right to see their child at least on occasion.

I´m not sure which is the best way to go here. But personally, I think I would find it hard to keep my mouth shut about a thing like this.

MY SON DID THE UNTHINKABLE

My 9 year old son shoplifted a watch at Sears during an access visit with his father.

This Thursday, Feb 19 I have arranged with Sears Security to talk with him to "scare him straight" and to return the watch. I almost died when I found out from daycare (where he was flashing the watch). He wants to be a policeman when he grows up. Hope Security has a good talking with him. He knows what he did was wrong and the reason he took it is because he liked it and it looked nice. I think after this he will have learned a lesson. I never ever expected he would do anything like this.

I blame Janet and her boobie!!!

althom said:

I blame your parents.

I blame Janet and her boobie!!!

Luve4u...I think u did the right thing in this matter...and with a mother like u, ur son is going 2 b allright ...he'll learn from this..and in the case of his father, i agree if he's an agressive person u'd better not tell him. Ur son is will learn his lesson in an other way than 2 b confronted with agression..

U wish u the best and stay strong!


(sorry 4 my english...it's well meant )

althom said:

I know where your mind is at Althom.

No kidding- they are SERIOUS these days!! My Ex-father-in law was in wally world and baught 100$ worth of things and a few b-day cards...the cards kept falling through the cart so he tucked them in his shirt pocket and forgot about them..when he got to his car he realized he did not pay for the cards and headed back into the store and he was immediatly arrested and banned from all walmarts !!! Crazy- but it's the policy..anything over 5$ warrants an arrest!

The funny thing is this man would NEVER steal a thing!


Good Job mom!! I'd do the same thing!!!

luv4u said:

We all know where is mind is...

dawnrose said:

about your ex-father-in-law. And that is what he got for his honesty!

UPDATE TO SITUATION

Took my 9 year old son to Sears to meet with store security. Gee he was hanging onto my arm with both his arms. He told me he was scared. The security lady gave him a good talking to and showed him handcuffs (real one). I thought he was going to cry at times. He listened and he did show remorse. She told him that it only takes the once and if you get caught the police will come to the store and cuff you and parade you through the store to a police car. She showed him the room which shows the store cameras (neat). She wants him to write an essay about what he learned and what he will not do next time and she expects to see it. So he now has an assignment which I will make sure he fullfills. He was scared - hope he learned his lesson. I will send her a thank you card and also his essay.
[This message was edited Thu Feb 19 22:38:21 2004 by luv4u]

You did great Luv4u!!! That Security Lady was da bomb! Good for her!

luv4u

Best wishes.