My boys went outside to play today and took a basket of cars and figures with them. They were playing right out front of our apartment and I was watching them from the window. The neighbors daughters came out to join them and they were all playing so nicely. I know this neighbor and she's usually very nice so I wasn't worried. All of a sudden my son comes up crying that the 3yo daughter took his basket of toys in her house and wouldn't give them back. I went down with him to ask the neighbor about it. She said that they were leaving right then to go and get the 3yo a kitten and that she could not possibly go and look for the toys now but would do it when she got back. Well this was 5 hours ago! My son is still upset about his toys, and when my hubby went down to ask her if she'd found the toys he was told "If and when we find them I will bring them to you and you are to stay off our porch as of now!" I am shocked! I can not believe that this mother is teaching her 3yo and 8yo that it's ok to steal someone else's toys! Personally I never would have taken my child to get a kitten if he had taken toys that aren't his!!! I am just sick for my son and furious that an adult would behave this way! These are the children my boys are "supposed" to be socializing with? NO THANK YOU!!! I just don't know what to do, I can't possibly go out and replace all the toys that were taken, and honestly I should not have to! This is the first time I've ever had this happen to me, and I just don't know what to say or do or think, it's horrible!
That is really strange! The only thing I can think of is something was happening right then, like fighting with husband, or bad phone call, and she just took her stress out on you with her response. Hopefully your son will get the toys back and that will be the end of it. What else could it be? Maybe she thought your son wasn't playing nice? But still, its no reason to withold someone elses property!
There is an epidemic of parents with children that can 'do no wrong'. When my best friend's son was in kindergarten, he was attacked by a group of other boys. The school wanted to move her son from the classroom, instead of transferring the other boys to different classes. The other boys' parents were upset that their delinquent children were being punished!! The police got involved, but my friend decided not to press charges. It's not right, and it makes me sad that children are actually being taught that wrong is right. I hope your son gets his toys back without any drama.
Unfortunately I doubt he'll ever get his toy back. Just saw the mom taking the kids for ice cream and when I asked her about the toys I was told that it's my son's fault the toys were taken since he shouldn't have brought them outside and that he's not getting them back even if she finds them because her daughter is 3 and should not be forced to give up a toy that she likes because she's just a baby! I am so angry!
what the.... that makes me furious!! This woman basically, as you said, just taught her kids to steal. Nice. Very nice. I have no idea what I would do- beyond not allowing these people anywhere near my children. How dare those parents act like that! ((hugs)) to your son.
Seriously??????? This is her attitude? And that poor mother is going to be so shocked when that 3 yr old grows up and becomes a 15 yr old prison inmate because she WAS FORCED to give up that stolen car or whatever that she liked. My prayers go out to her! (((((((birbitt))))))))))) I hope your son isn't too upset by all of it.
OMG !! Are you for real? Wash your hands of them and do so quickly !! Your son probably won't see his toys back and so at this point, I think I would push hard at teaching about stealing and how it makes each person feels. The best lessons learned are the ones that hurt the most. Sorry that he has to be a victim of theft. THEN, I think I would go to your neighbor and tell her to keep the toys her children stole (reverse psychology), appearently they need them more since they stole them. I'd push the fact that they were stolen from your son and that she condones the actions by keeping them (and rewarding her children). Seriously, even if she tries to return the toys... don't accept them back !! Appearently her children need them more since they stole them. If she asks why, tell her by keeping these stolen items you hope to stop them from stealing something bigger later in life and stopping their crime spree now so that you don't have to support them when they end up in prison for theft as they age. Sorry your son has to learn such a hard lesson at such a young age. Hope it all works out
I would talk to her again, give her a final chance to give them back, and then I would call the cops. Yes. The cops. They stole your sons property. I am so sorry he is having to go through this... what a rotten mom and daughter.
I am completely dumbfounded!!! I think I would drop it, because nothing you can do or say will make any difference. I don't think calling the police would make any difference, but I WOULD allow your child to take back his toys if the little girl has them outside at some point. Other than that, I would have NOTHING to do with this family.
I don't see how you couldn't involve the police; she STOLE his property and refuses to return it. I would do whatever it takes to get it back, just to show him that you don't have to let people treat you however they want and to show the mom/daughter that there are consequences to their actions.
Phillip's bike was stolen. He was chased down, pushed off his bike, and they took it. The police came out and took a report, but that was it. His friend found the bike. Carl talked with the kid it was found with and his dad. This kid DID NOT take it (he was a black kid; the ones who took it were white), but he knew who he got the bike from, and who THAT person got the bike from. Carl called and gave this information to the officer, and they never followed up on it. I can't imagine they'd even come out for a 3yo taking a kid's toys. (Not saying this is the way it should be, but rather this is the way it IS!)
Sadly the police probably wouldn't even intervene in something like this because in context with everything else they deal with on a daily basis, this is petty and not worth their time. In our eyes as parents, throw the book at 'em so to speak but I doubt they have the man power to do it. I guess that's why I said go to her and tell her to keep the stolen toys, they obviously needed them more. I'd make her feel guilty for condoning the behavior but that's just me. And then knowing me, I'd personally put it all over my facebook status Most important in this whole disaster is to make sure you talk to your son about how he feels about the theft and then teach him that stealing isn't ok. I'm sure he knows already but you've been handed a perfect opportunity to teach him one of the most valuable lessons ever... about stealing, about trust, etc
I have to say this was my first thought, as well. Edited to add: the cops might think it's petty. But her ds would see that his mom will stand up for him no matter what, and that there IS something we can do if we get victimized.
I WOULD call the police for a couple of reasons. One, I believe you have a moral obligation to do so, an obligation to your child and to stand up for what is right. Whether or not the toys are returned is not the point. Two, if this lady knows you called the police, perhaps she will think twice before doing this again. Your battle is not against this child, rather an adult who has stolen from a child. You shouldn't have anymore words with this lady, call the police and let them speak to her for you. Once you have done that, everything else is out of your control and at least you can say that you did your part.
Holy cow! Call the police. It may seem trival but it isn't. Thats theft pure and simple. Also I agree with the statement When DS was in JK ages 3-4 he was kicked in the groin by another boy. I have learned as an adult it causes scarring to the boys parts and can adversely effect things. Not to mention the anguish it causes poor boys/men. So I took it up with his teacher. She asked who had done it. I told her who and she laughed in my face literally because the other boy was smaller then my son and she couldn't imagine he had caused harm?????? Seriously I don't care what size the other person is. Fragile is fragile do something. Nothing was done then or all the other times it occurred on the playground. Thankfully we no longer have that issue here at home. But that is ridiculous behaviour on the part of your neighbor. I am appalled and angry for you.
Wow...so much for giving that lady the benefit of the doubt. Her reasons for not giving back the toys is ridiculous. I am so dumbfounded, I just can't fathom her responses to you. Police, yes. They probably won't do anything but stealing is stealing, and she's being BLATENT about it. I would call the police because it will be teaching YOU SON that stealing is wrong, you should stand up for what you believe and also not to allow yourself to be bullied. That lady is a bully!
Sorry that happened to your ds, it is ugly behavior that shouldnt have happened. Unfortunately, homeschooling is not going to insulate our children from the realities of human nature, at some point the real world is gonna rear its ugly little head. We will always be exposed to liars and thieves in our lives. My dh did work for a lady and has been waiting for nearly a month for payment. Every time its a different excuse. I think we arent going to get our $250.00 unless we put a lien on her home. That is just reality, ugly as it is, as sad as it is, but true.
