Did he steal it or was it a gift?

Question

Son came home with Gameboy and game, said friend "Tommy" gave it to him-he had another one already. 1 hour later, knock at the door. I overhear another friend says that "Jimmy"-another friend is missing his Gameboy, and since he was the last one with it has he seen it or did he take it. I appear and tell friend to tell "Jimmy" to come ask about his game himself. (With the intention of seeing if its the same game and if it was given or stolen. After closing the door I take the game from son to hold on to until I find the truth. Son has a tantrum that its his game since his friend "Tommy" gave it to him and that although "Jimmy" has a similar one its not his. Begins to cry and claims that when "Jimmy" comes by he'll claim its his though its not and how unfair it is. Is this a cooky coincidence? Outright manipulation with mindgames? Or a simple misunderstanding? Who's darn Gameboy is it and how did my kid get it? (sigh of frustration)

Answer 1

He may have gotten it from his friend, but his friend most likely stole it from the other friend. If this is the case I would tell "Tommy's" parents and let them deal with the problem. Do tell your son, that if his friend did steal it, it has to be returned because it is considered stolen property. Explain to him that when he gets older that if a friend gives gim a stereo, and that stereo had been stolen from someone else, that he can go to jail for receiving stolen property. I would also limit contact with his so-called-friend.

Answer 2

I hate to say this but it sounds to me like your child did indeed steal the Gameboy. I think you did the right thing though about waiting for the kid to come claim it himself. I think you might also want to contact Tommy and find out if he did give your son a Gameboy. Maybe also talk to Tommy's mom. He may have given it against her wishes. My son once tried to give our neighbor kid a handful of money because the neighbor kid told him he wouldn't play hide and seek unless my son paid him!! I stopped that as soon as I realized what was going on. But Tommy's mom might not be aware that her son is giving away expensive toys.

Good luck and I hope it turns out to be a misunderstanding.

Answer 3

1. A Game Boy is quite expensive for children that cry and throw fits. Expensive for working class adults as well.
2. If I didn't purchase the Game Boy myself or at the very least, knew where it came from I certainly wouldn't want my child haveing this toy.
3. One has to wonder where Tommy aquried this Game Boy?
4. If in fact it truly belonged to Tommy, take the Game Boy back to him.
5. Involve Tommys parents in this senario as I'm sure they would luv to be informed!

This really isn't a hard situation to figure.

Answer 4

I think he's trying to pull one over on you.

You might need to use some child psychology. Find out the details of how his day went - school, kids he played with, places he went, etc. Be normal though. You don't want to sound like you're "taking" notes. Stay away from the subject of the gameboy and talk about other things. He will give away clues without even realizing it.

Answer 5

why don't you go to his friend Jimmy's mom or dad and show them the gameboy to see if it is his or tommies.

You could also try next time you see Jimmy ask him what the gameboy looks like before telling him you have it, they come in a variety of diffrent colors.

I really doubt your son was given the gameboy though because they are pricey and nobody just gives them away for free

Answer 6

Don't wait, call tommy's mom and ask her about it, then call Jimmy's mom if your son doesn't have the number go over to their house, either way it turns out seek counseling for the tantrums, thats not right and he is doing it to make you feel bad

Answer 7

Gift or not, if "Jimmy" or "Tommy" are going to claim that your son stole the gameboy, perhaps your son has no business having the gameboy.

Answer 8

I think you need to gather your son, Tommy and Jimmy in one room and ask all of them what is going on. Actually you should talk to each of them separately and then put them together and talk to them and see what you get out of them. Then you'll know. Especially based on whatever Tommy says.

Answer 9

Now why would a kid just give a gameboy away if he did get a new one, and how many parents would allow their child to do so! Sounds like he took it, he also sounds very young. Grade school maybe remember kids do go through a lieing stage.

Answer 10

Maybe tommy stole it from jimmy and gave it to your son and your son probably doesn't know.