The first thing that I would do is talk with her parents and her and ask - did you take something from our home that did not belong to you? Depending on answer, I would go on to say that we do know she did and we are deeply saddened by her conduct and she will not be allowed in our home any longer nor will she be able to be with our daughter. Much of what I would do depends on her honesty - we all make mistakes and I do think I would exclude her from our home if she fessed up and gave it back although I would be leary to have her back!
I would confront the child's parents and let them know what happened, and would expect them to handle this situation with their child. I would expect an apology, and certainly would let that child know how I am, and that I do not want it to happen again. Everyone makes mistakes, so I would forgive them one time.
I would first talk, privately, with the child and hope they will honest with me. If not I will go to the parents, privately, and discuss the issue with them. If nothing can be resolved and depending on what was stolen then I would look into pressing charges. As much as I would have to ban a friend from my home they would not be allowed to come over again either.
I think the first thing I would do is talk to the child first and hopefully they would admit it. If not, I would talk to the parent and explain the situation and hopefully the parent would get it back. If it was a very expensive item, then if it was not returned, then I would call the police. Also, I would not allow the child in my home again.
Go straight to there parents-if they steal-they will lie about it as well, so dont see asking them will -go to there parents so they can look for it-and handle situation with there child as well. Try not to be harsh-just informing them. Tackful is best.
If my childs friend stole something from my home...
If I found that one of my boys' had stolen something from our home, first I would make sure I could prove it. If I could prove it, I would confront the child the next time they were in my home, and ask for the item to be returned. I would let the child know that if it were not returned by a certain time, I will go to the parents. This usually works, but if it doesnt, be prepared to go to the parents with the problem. If it is something of no consequence, and it isnt returned, I would drop it and not let the child come back to the home. If it is of consequence, say a handheld game, or something of some value, I would notify the parents after a few days that it still has not been returned and that you are ready to call the police into the matter. Theft is nothing to just let go. If they can get away with the small stuff, they will go on to bigger things, and end up in prison. Better to stop it when they are first attempting it.
I would speak to the parents right away. Behavior like this is not acceptable in my home. Parents must have notice the child with somethig they did not buy or gave them. If is of value, I would ask the parents to check for said item. Most parents would react favorably and return the object. Now if you get parents that, deny things that they already know, if is of value, I would call the police. I would definetly bar the child from my house. One after thought is that this child is calling for attention and stealing is a for .
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tiffysmom
Domestic Goddess.
I know that God won't give me anything I can't handle.
I just wish he didn't trust me so much. Mother Teresa
Well this is a real significant problem. If this is occurring then there may be problems at home or more emotional problems that should be dealt with immediately. Usually when a child steals they are asking to be caught. If not confronted, they may go on to more serious offenses in order to get their emotional needs met. They are trying to fill a need with a negative act of behavior. I would be extremely cautious when trying to deal with this instance. I would ask the child if they by chance borrowed the item without permission, stating that if they were to return it immediately it would make things a lot easier for them. I would also tell them that we could tell their parents together and that it has to be dealt with, in order for things to be better for everyone. The truth is sometimes the hardest thing to tell, but is always the best way to deal with things. If this is instilled at an early age, the outcome should be better for the rest of their lives.
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Michelle
Mother of: Olivia 10; Sweet and Caring Girl; Dancer, Straight A Student, Excellent Reader, Softball Player
Rebecca 7; Dancer, Singer, Actress, Great Reader, Always on the go
Sawyer 4; Cutie, Loves Dinosaurs, Guys, and Remote Control Anything
I would speak with the child first (not in front of my child). If they admitted to stealing the item, I would give them opportunity to let their parents know on their own. I don't think I would ban them from my house, I would just be more careful what was lying around when someone outside the family visited our home. In a few days I would ask them if they had spoken to their parents and if not, then I would go with them to let the parents know. I think most parents would be good about doing their own type of discipline and the embarrassment of having their child steal would be all the punishment necessary for both. If the situation were reversed and I noticed an item that did not belong to my child I would go talk to the parents of the home they had most recently visited and ask if it belonged to them. I would hope other parents would do the same.
with our daughter. Much of what I would do depends on her honesty - we all make mistakes and I do think I would exclude her from our home if she fessed up and gave it back although I would be leary to have her back!
I am, and that I do not want it to happen again. Everyone makes mistakes, so I would forgive them one time.
-go to there parents so they can look for it-and handle situation with there child as well. Try not to be harsh-just informing them. Tackful is best.
If my childs friend stole something from my home...
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