Is it OK to take back my child's clothing?

Question

3 weeks ago we picked up our son from preschool and his jacket was missing -- the teachers didn't have any idea that it was even gone. We were given explanations that he probably left it on the playground, and questioned if we were sure he had brought one. It was 50˚ that day! We repeatedly asked about it, something we were not going to let slip by, but it seemed to have disappeared and looked as though we were not going to get it back.

Today I saw another child wearing it when I dropped my son off. What should I do? If another parent made a mistake then that's one thing, but c'mon -- you KNOW what clothes are your child's and what clothes aren't. As a responsible adult wouldn't you notice that it didn't belong to you and return it to the teachers?

My question is this: Is it appropriate for me to take it back?

Absolutely his, we always put his initials inside jackets, coats, boots, hats, etc., anything that he wouldn't keep on his body all day! By the way, the child who was wearing it was a girl and it's obviously a boy's jacket!

Answer 1

I would make an appointment and talk to the teacher and tell her what you saw.....let her deal with it.

Answer 2

Make certain the jacket is your child's first. Ask the teacher to look inside it for identifying information (your child's name, initials). If it is confirmed that the jacket belongs to your son, the teacher should remove it from the child that is wearing it (at some point later in the day) and put it in your child's cubby to take home. This way, it won't cause the child who is wearing it any uncomfortable experiences, and you will get the jacket back. I've had this same instance happen with my own child at preschool, and most of the time, it really is an accident. Maybe mom dropped off the child in the morning and dad picked her up... you never know how these things happen. I am also a preschool teacher, so I know how easily things can get lost at school. There are so many children bringing things all the time, if their name is not on it- it is often lost. We have a policy at our school that anything has to be labeled, but parents often forget to do so. Currently, we've had a jacket MIA for about 3 weeks now- an idea is to write a description of the jacket (or post a pic of your kid wearing it, if you have one) and either put the description on the parent board in your child's class, or ask the teacher if she can put the message in the kid's cubbies. Some parents really do forget whether or not their child had a certain jacket... and yes, you would think that people would notice and return the jacket, but some times that just doesn't happen. Other situations may be a cause as well, such as a lack of money for the parent to purchase their child their own jacket. So, I would have the teacher be the mediator in this case... for you to take it from a child you don't know would be inappropriate. Let the staff at the preschool handle it to cause the least stress for the child. The child is not at fault.

Answer 3

well when you bring things to a daycare your supposed to sign all the clothes, jackets, diapers ect. so that they know its your childs.if you did this then go get it back.I don't think it's right BUT maybe the parent didn't know about it sometimes the daycares will let other children borrow other childrens stuff and sort of mix and match things around for those that are missing things,maybe they forgot however the case may be it is your childs jacket,did you get it local?is it possible that it might not be the same.I would try to get it back though.talk to the parent if you see her walking by or leaving with her child with the jacket on and just remember to sign the tags on everything you bring in that way there is no mistake good luck.

Answer 4

Usually in school, or daycare situations you always fill out the name tag on jackets and initial clothing tags just for this reason.

Unless you had the jacket specially made by a tailor and its one of a kind, you'd have a hard time convincing anyone that it was your son's and not the other childs.

People lie, including parents. Its nasty but its part of the ball game.

You could try to catch the parents of the child after school and ask if they know where he got that jacket, and tell him that you lost one exactly like it. if that doesnt work, I'd mention to the teacher than you saw another child wearing your sons jacket, and ask if she can get it back for you. If that doesnt work, try a person who's above her.

I'd invest in a laundry marker and have at your sons clothes. lol. Its sure to happen again. The lost and found table at our school is also the poor box for children who came poorly dressed for the weather that day, your clothes could end up with a new life!

:)

Answer 5

If its some 20 dollars jacket, then let it go.

But if it is a nice winter jacket you planned on him wearing throughout the season, then get it back politely.

To be sure its your son's, walk him in to class one day a little late, then look at the jacket once more. If you know, for sure that its your sons, go after school and wait for your son, approach the mother of the other child nicely and tell her you think there has been a mix-up. Explain the situation, as a resonable adult she should understand.

Answer 6

I would say talk with the teacher or principal first let them see if they can get it back or make sure that student did not have the same jacket because I know alot of kids will dress the same sometimes if nothing comes of this then maybe you talk to the parent . Also think about this if that parent went ahead and put it on there child knowing it was not theres maybe that child really needed it and just take it as a loss I know its hard but some times we just have to take our losses

Answer 7

Absolutely! Its hard enough to clothe your own family let alone some one else's!

The only time I think maybe you should let it slide is if the child is obviously in "need" of the item. In that case, don't embarrass the child by taking it back.(or the parent for that matter.) But if it is obvious that they don't need it, I would talk to the teacher or the administrator and have THEM ask for the jacket back. That way your not in conflict with the other parent.

Answer 8

No, its not right just to take it back - what if the other kid just has the same style jacket? Talk to the teacher and point out the kid that you think has your son's jacket and let him/her get to the bottom of it. Other than that, leave it alone. Maybe try writing your son's name in an inconspicuous place on future coats etc.

Answer 9

I would tell the teacher about it or the parents..
yes YOU do KNOW what clothes belong to your kids..
if the other child had the exact same jacket as your sons, then yes it would be a mistake. but if you took and didn't recongnize it, then of course i would bring it back to the teacher.

is it a poor child? if it is.. i would let him keep it, BUT would still say something to parents.

Answer 10

The next time you see her i would just ask her where she got the coat try too make it seem as if your trying too see about buying one just like it and if she just runs around the guestion then you go too the teacher and the principal and tell theym too help you get the jacket back with out a hassle or they have too get your son a new one. What i would do for the sons clothes is put his name in it where know one can find it but you . Then you ask too look at it and show them if you find the name in it.

Answer 11

Yes, you should take it back. Let the teacher know that you saw someone else wearing it and can she please ask the parent to bring it back. May I advise you to lable your child items that you take to school if you dont already. I have been a teacher in Daycare centers and it is hard to remember what every child came in wearing that day. But if is your jacket go get it.