How do you approach a parent when you know that there child has stolen something?

Question

I watch a friends kid last night so she could go out. Then today my kids were outside playing with their air gun and came inside and put the gun and plastic pellets on the counter. I remeber seeing them on the counter but after they left I told the kids to put it away and it was missing. I also know he was going out the back door while I talked to his mom but I couldn't see what he was doing. We have looked everywhere. What to do?

Answer 1

before you accuse i will tell her that the gun is missing and you wanted to know if he took it by mistake, since you don't want to Accuse him if he doesn't have it. now if he did steal it then his mom should deal with him the way she sees fit.

Answer 2

I would call your friend and ask her something along the lines of....*The kids were playing with the air guns before you picked them up this morning. Now I went to go put them all away and one is missing, so I was wondering if you could look and see if it didn't accidental get packed up with lil Johnny's things? And if you don't find it, could you ask him where he put it as he was playing with it last?* Very simply put, yet you are not accusing him, because you do want to give the benefit of the doubt, he very well could have just hidden it at your house as a way to mess with your kids, ya know as a joke? So I think if you approach it this way, not only will you not offend your friend by callin her kid a thief. but you will let her know that her son is responsible for this guns disappearance, no matter where it is and she will (if she's worth her weight as a mother) make sure he gets it back to you.

Good luck, I know these situations are tough...I've been there done that myself.

Answer 3

I would find a way to say something to the other mom, like, "I think little Johnny might have borrowed our boys air gun (by mistake keeping it). Would you look around your house for it? We've looked all over", and see how she takes it. It's not like the "olden days". Nowadays moms and dads get major attitudes when you even look at their kids funny. No sense stirring up a hornets nest. Best to be tactful from now on while keeping a watchful eye with this little boy. There's no need for it to escalate beyond toys. Good luck!

Answer 4

I would just call and say that i think you child may have one of my kids toys, could you go ask him or check around for it? If you say he stole it or even took it it will put her on the defensive and she may deny it, just so she doesn't have to admit that her son stole something. You didn't say how old this kid was, if he is very young up to about 5 or so, they really don't have a concept of stealing.

Answer 5

I would tell the child's mom that the item is missing and describe the toy and ask her,to ask her child if they might have put the toy away...maybe in a bedroom or something or maybe left it outside.That way you aren't accusing her child and if she finds the toy at her house she will know he took it!If she is the type that won't admit he took it and does nothing to right the wrong.I would not allow that child to visit again.or if he did visit I would check his pockets before he leaves! If you say nothing it teaches your children that it's ok to take something that doesn't belong to them.

Answer 6

Just tell them you are missing it and if they have seen it pop up around their house. Say something like he might have gotten confused and thought he could keep it because perhapse you were not clear enough. Even though you know you were very clear.

Answer 7

just tell them you have a concern that may or may not include their child and explain. Just be honest, but this is serious and you need to say something.

Answer 8

Call and ask her if her child has it. Pretend that you think he may have taken it by accident. Let her deal with him.

Answer 9

say look you probrably won't believe me but your child has stollen something and i think you need to talk to him/her.