Give this Mom a Medal

[Jeana (DP)]

See, this assumes that the boy stole from a "store." Well, just assume that the boy stole from his mother. Or grandmother... ? You know, when it comes to family heirlooms- especially when that's about all the wealth one has- it's a serious kick in the teeth. Regardless, does it really matter to you who the boy "stole" from? While it's easier to steal from close relatives- it's also generally taboo amongst thieves, although a common denominator amongst drug-addicts.

If this was the case, making the boy stand out at the corner with this sandwich-board is akin to making him "go back to the store and apologize." But in the more common instance of family-theft, what can a mom do?

What would you have your child do if he stole from YOU? Because, believe me- the "authorities" you mention would NOT normally have him perform "community service or something constructive." That's a kiss-off to the old days, man. It's laughable.

No, I don't agree that it is akin to making him go back and apolgize to the store. There is making someone take responsibility for their actions and then there's outright humiliation. I don't think that humiliation should be a part of raising one's child.

If one of my children stole from me, I'd take care of it at home. They have plenty of possessions that can be removed from them. They have activities that they would miss, etc.

 

[SadieMae]

Hammerized....There is nothing that bothers me more when I'm a restaurant and there are unruly children there. It seems the parents don't care they're walking and running all over the place, when they should at their table.

I could see myself doing the same thing this mother did. My oldest was skipping school in the 8th grade. I went to every class with him for a whole day. He was so embarrased, but didn't ever skip school again. I told him if it happened again, I'd be his shadow for a whole week at school. One thing I don't do with my kids is threaten them, they know all too well I will do what I say

 

[blueclouds]

You go girl!!! Bout damned time that parents take steps to do dramatic things!!! Kids need to be disciplined and taught CLEARLY right and wrong. Too many parents, around here anyway, have way too much money and NEVER enough time for their kids! SO their kids trash and vandalize... cuz they're bored. BOOHOO. and these parents always say "not my kid".... BS. Wake up people!

Teach your children respect both giving and getting respect, kindness, right and wrongs and BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OneLostGrl]

You go girl!!! Bout damned time that parents take steps to do dramatic things!!! Kids need to be disciplined and taught CLEARLY right and wrong. Too many parents, around here anyway, have way too much money and NEVER enough time for their kids! SO their kids trash and vandalize... cuz they're bored. BOOHOO. and these parents always say "not my kid".... BS. Wake up people!

Teach your children respect both giving and getting respect, kindness, right and wrongs and BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[Tricia]

Neither link worked for me so I am clueless as to what is going on.

I only know that if I saw a small child who had nothing for Christmas because his/her parents were screw ups the last thing I would do is let a sweet little kid suffer because of the parents. Be it right or wrong I just couldn't "teach" the kid by denying him/her a gift for Christmas.

PS. This has nothing to do with religion IMO and everything to do with basic kindness.

 

[mysteriew]

Hammerized....There is nothing that bothers me more when I'm a restaurant and there are unruly children there. It seems the parents don't care they're walking and running all over the place, when they should at their table.

I could see myself doing the same thing this mother did. My oldest was skipping school in the 8th grade. I went to every class with him for a whole day. He was so embarrased, but didn't ever skip school again. I told him if it happened again, I'd be his shadow for a whole week at school. One thing I don't do with my kids is threaten them, they know all too well I will do what I say

Mine got in trouble at school. I told him he had better be prepared, cause if I ever got called to the school, I would stop and put curlers in my hair, and put on an old outfit and a housecoat before going to his scool. Scared him to death, all the teachers had to do was say, do you want me to call your Mom, and they had no more trouble with him.

 

[mysteriew]

Neither link worked for me so I am clueless as to what is going on.

I only know that if I saw a small child who had nothing for Christmas because his/her parents were screw ups the last thing I would do is let a sweet little kid suffer because of the parents. Be it right or wrong I just couldn't "teach" the kid by denying him/her a gift for Christmas.

PS. This has nothing to do with religion IMO and everything to do with basic kindness.

It is a picture of a boy standing on the street holding a sign. Mom is sitting on a chair holding a glass of tea. The sign says "Hi!! I'm 13 yrs old. I STEAL
I want to GO TO PRISON to be with Daddy!!"

At 13 yrs old, Mom has very few more chances to get this kid straightened out. Already he would be pulling away from her influence, and the peer influence would be gaining strength. Extreme yes. But better than visiting him in jail.

 

[blueclouds]

Neither link worked for me so I am clueless as to what is going on.

I only know that if I saw a small child who had nothing for Christmas because his/her parents were screw ups the last thing I would do is let a sweet little kid suffer because of the parents. Be it right or wrong I just couldn't "teach" the kid by denying him/her a gift for Christmas.

PS. This has nothing to do with religion IMO and everything to do with basic kindness.

A TEENAGER kid was standing on a sidewalk with a sign his mother made him wear basically stating "I like to steal things and I want to go to jail like my dad"...

His mom was sitting on the side of the sidewalk near him. So not sure what that has to do with christmas gifts however but I do think doing some inventive parenting works for this woman. I hope and pray she can keep her son out of jail, lord knows she's obviously trying anything. Better than parents who try nothing.

M2cents.

 

[Cupcake]

When my oldest son was 7 years old, he stole a ring from the jewelry section in Walmart. Just a cheap little ring, and I didn't find out about it until I was halfway home. I turned the car around, telling him he was going to tell the people there he stole it, apologize and give it back. He repeatedly told me he wouldn't do it.

So, I dragged him into the store, kicking and screaming at me. I took him to the customer service desk and made him tell them and apologize. The clerk looked at him and said "Its all right, honey". I said "No, ma'am, stealing is never all right and please do not say that to my son. He must take responsibility for his actions and pay the consequences". There were a ton of people standing around that heard it all. And of course, when he got home, he had to stay in his room the rest of the day with nothing to do.

As far as I know, that kid never stole again. He told me a few years later it scared him stupid for all those people to know what he did, knowing it was wrong.