I am guilty! You may be asking what the hell is she talking about, well if you pop on over to http://motherhooduncensored.typepad.com/motherhood_uncensored/ you'll see the topic is pretty much about stealing. Now I am not talking about tvs, stereos, or cars people but smaller things like gum, tiny stuffed animals, and the infamous Gap duck. It is quite funny because I just heard a radio station discussing this same topic the other morning. The d.j. was talking to a mother who's little girl had been stealing packs of gum from different stores that they would shop at. When the mother discovered what had been happening, she took her daughter down to the police station, had her confess, and basically threatened her with jail. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions here but I was thinking damn, that's a bit harsh.
I still remember babysitting my cousin (who at the time was about 3) for the weekend and I took him into a Target to pick up a few things I needed. While I was getting him situated in my car, I noticed him gripping a little tube of M&M's that I knew I had not paid for. Honestly, at the age of 19 I was too embarrassed to even think about taking him back inside and returning the stolen candy. At 29 and the mother of two, I am still guilty of allowing Claire and Taylor pick a candy out of the Brach's candy dispenser in the grocery store and looking the other way. I have also gotten out to my car after a shopping trip with two screaming children and you can bet your ass I did not go back inside to pay for the forgotten soda/water/whatever underneath the shopping cart. The fact that we got out of the store alive is a miracle in itself.
Do I think stealing is okay? No, and although I tell my children not to be "jacking shit" from the stores, it is hard to drill that bit in when mommy just looks the other way on some things. But hey, I am just one of those Mommas who prefers to pick her battles.
So lets hear it, what is your take on the duck??
10 comments:
""jacking shit" from the stores"
Laughing my ASS off! I used to frisk my kids!
We have had that happen too! There are times that I'm so frustrated by the shopping experience that I am NOT going back in there for any reason! I just want to get home ASAP. But, there are times that we make a point to take the item back and say, I'm sorry. I think that's embarrassing enough for the kids. I can't see taking my kid to the police station!
I say return the duck at a later time. Of course, it's happened to me and I said that, but I think I still have my 'duck' waiting to be returned. I guess I'm a thief, too.
Great blog!! I will be back for more
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I'm with you, keep the duck. i put it up at my site too.
It's not even like her kids took it, it jumped ship. ;)
I've gone back and returned stuff that I accidentally "took" before, and the people have looked at me like I actually WAS a thief! But I was returning the stuff! Sometimes it's just not even worth the hassle!
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
Keep the duck. Totally.
Definitely keep the duck...I don't think stealing is right, but the hassle involved over a $2 duck is not worth it.
I'd keep it too. But my kids probably would never know I "stole" it. If they knew, I'd probably have to do something about it, but "what they don't know won't hurt them"
I have learned to check and double check (including frisking pull-ups) my kids at the stores. Little sticky fingers. I made a big deal about how they have to hand their stuff to the lady and pay, otherwise all the store employees would cry and miss the object. Possibly hardcore, but our sholifting has gone way down and no police required.
I hate to say it, though, that with kids strapped in and one sleeping (as Kristen had) I'd be hard-pressed to walk back in with a $6.95 duck. Maybe I'd confess next time.
Thus, the frisking of the kids at the checkout.
Do not want to be in this position again.
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