Been Caught Stealing....

Again!
Our babysitter took the twins and two of their friends to the local waterpark. While the sitter and Pinky were in the changing area changing clothes Daisy wandered over to the gift shop and took a necklace and bracelet. She was caught by security.
Because of her age they did not press charges. If she had been twelve, they would have called the police.

Her punishment from me is that she is banned from the waterpark for a year, and she is banned from going into any store until the end of this year AND if she has to go into a store she cannot walk around by herself and she has to keep both hands on the shopping cart at all times.

I thought we had worked through this. There hadn't been any stealing incidents (that I knew of) since last year. She had money earlier this week. I lowered her allowance because she refuses to her chores and when she does do them I have to ask her five times just to get her moving.

She didn't even seem phased by the whole situation. No fear. No remorse. No regret.

What am I going to do with this kid ??

And Nothing But The Truth

Finally !!
Pinky admitted to taking the earrings.

We had a nice calm family discussion about why lying is wrong and why we don't take things without asking.

She admitted to taking them but it was like pulling teeth...and there was no remorse. None at all whatsoever.

And that worries me.

At least Daisy admitted that it was sometimes hard for her to tell the truth, and she seemed like she was regretful. But it could just be an act.

I've always felt like I was in tune to my children. I can tell when they're lying, happy sad or trying to be sneaky. I thought I knew them like the back of my hand.
But I looked Pinky in the eye and I could not tell if she was lying or telling the truth.

We've got to work on these issues before we hit the teenage years.

Pinky's Gone Bananas (or maybe not)

Today when Granny was checking book bags for contraband she found a pair of 'Cole's earrings in Pinky's book bag.

When I came home from work I tried questioning both Pinky and Daisy. Pinky blamed Daisy and Daisy blamed Pinky.

The earrings were in 'Cole's jewelry box on the top shelf of the closet, it would take some work for a small person to get up there and get them.

The only thing I'm sure of is that either one person committed the crime and the other had knowledge of it...or they both worked together.

It doesn't really matter, they both are grounded and writing sentences for me.

And from now on the book bags will be downstairs, by the front door.

I was exceptionally calm and didn't show any emotion. I get the feeling this crime wave is an attempt to get attention. Hopefully once they see that they aren't getting the attention they want hopefully things will get back to normal in the Bananas Family.

Been Caught Stealing

We've gone through the past few months in relative peace and calm. The kids have been settled and there's been no major blowouts...until today.

My phone rang while I was at work today. It was the elementary school. It seems that Pinky took one of my credit cards to school and it fell out of her pocket during lunch. An alert teacher contacted me to let me know what was going on.

I don't even think I feel angry. I think I'm mostly just insulted and disappointed. I do everything for my kids, they have so much. I give them my time, my energy. They are blessed beyond words. She has no reason to steal. There was nothing she could do with the card at school anyway.

So why would you steal ? And why would you steal from me ?
When I asked Pinky those questions she said she "found" the card on the floor of my room. Even IF that was true (all my cards are in a case that sits on my dresser) why WHY WHY would you take it to school ??

She didn't have an answer for that.

I don't have any answers either, but she'll have plenty of time to think about it while she's doing hard time (extra chores) for me.

I think the thing that keeps bothering me is the why. I don't understand her reasoning. She has her own money. I don't feel like she took it to use it. Did she take it to show it off ? To pretend it was hers ?

I have no idea.