Moms Talk: Should Stealing Require an Apology?
If your child were to steal something from a local business, how would you respond?
Each week, we invite Patch readers to weigh in on a question about parenting.
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This week, our question for St. Louis parents focuses on discussing honesty and integrity with children.
Suppose you take your 12-year-old to the five-and-dime store. You walk out and he's got a handful of bubble gum. You ask him where he got it, knowing he doesn't have any money, and he responds that he just helped himself.
So onto this week's question: Do you go back, explain the situation to the manager and require your child to apologize? Pay for it? Ignore it because it's small change?
Laura Falk
7:43 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
That would definitely require a face-to-face apology, and probably the kiddo breaking into his piggy bank to repay the store. Kids need to know there are consequences for their actions, even seemingly small ones.
Jayne Langsam
8:39 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
This is definitely one of those teachable moments . Use it as such. Have your child own their actions and take responsibility.