How do I help my son return a stolen iPod?

Question

My sons friend need to charge it on our computer (no cord) I over heard that it was stolen. I reminded my son How would he like it if his got stolen. I told him to to give it back to him and wash his hands of the whole thing He started to feel bad for the true owner and told him he would probably get it back. (NOW HE'S INVOLED!) What can he tell his friend to convice him or scare him to return it.
I dont care if its BS as long as it's effective. They're only 12-13

without humiliating there 12-13 year old pride

Answer 1

Make him tell his friend he needs to return it. If the friend doesn't, tell him he wants nothing to do with it. If he can get his hands on it, he should personally return it to the owner and apologize. He won't get in any more trouble this way. And this also make him responsible for his actions.

Answer 2

Tell your son to tell the friend the truth - that you overheard the Ipod is stolen and demanded it be returned to its rightful owner or you will call the authorities and return it yourself. Put a deadline on the return make them both sweat and make an impact on them so they do not do this again. Being a party to theft is as bad as theft. If you are an accessory to theft or murder you do real time in jail, so get them used to the idea now: breaking the law is not negotiable.

If you do not nip this thing in the bud; I am afraid both kids will not get the right example. It is good that your son felt guilty but it is bad that you knew about this and waited around to let your son decide what to do rather than putting your foot down immediately.

They are at the most impressionable age and they should know better than to steal.

Also, it may be difficult but I think you should call the parents of the boy who stole the Ipod. If my son did this, I would want to know so I could deal with his theft problems at home.

Answer 3

Obviously, there are a variety of things that you can do. But, I think that the best thing would be to just have the boys walk up to the owner and give it to him. Its quick and to the point. They had the guts enough to steal it...they should develop the guts to face the consequenses. They can either choose to tell the owner the truth or don't explain themselves. You don't want them to cover it up with a lie (Oh, we found it), since it might possibly promote a behavior that will be used against you or others later on. They may never be trusted by this individual again, but tough sh*t. Face the issue. At least they will have integrity from their lesson and they will know that the owner got it back. And, have them give the owner a number to contact you by so you know it was, in fact, returned or try to figure out a way for varification--you can either give trust here or not. This is up to you.

Granted, it depends what kind of a character the owner is! Is this person going to beat the crap out of the boys or what? What are the other boy's parent(s) like? Are they going to give him a black and blue? If not, I would let them know. There are several things to think about.

Regardless if you decide to or they decide to do something different, to save face, give them a set time that it has to be returned by...and back it up with the fact that you will get the other's parent(s)/guardian(s) involved.

Answer 4

You need to step up as a parent and get together with the other child's parent and explain the situation. I wouldn't worry about hurting their pride or character, as much as, worrying about where this theft can lead them. Your son and his friend must together return the Ipod and apologize to the person that it was taken from. They need to know that what they did was wrong and that there are consequences for their actions. They are 12 and 13 years old and they are old enough to know to better. You need to nip it in the bud and scare them straight or you will have more trouble in just a few short years!

Answer 5

pride goes before a fall.

Total honesty is never shameful. You will never have to feel bad about owning up. It is the best lesson in life and good character.
You will always look back and know you did the right thing may not be the easiest but you can never be labelled dishonest or because you admitted, repented and made atonement for the error. We all make mistakes and we all done bad but owning up to it is the best way of cleansing your hands of the wrong.
Your son will look back with a valueable memory of doing the right thing and that is something he will have pride in but in the correct context.

Answer 6

Take it from him and hand it over to the police. This happened to my daughter last year when her camera was stolen at prom. We filed a police report and six weeks later it was returned. The father of the girl whose boyfriend stole it, overheard them talking and got suspicious so he confiscated it and called the police. They looked up and found our police report and we got it back. I am eternally grateful to that father for doing the right thing and the owner of the stolen iPod will probably feel the same way.

Answer 7

i imagine you need to call the gang chief, no longer the different be sure. She must have a note with each and each and every of the boys, pointing no palms, and clarify that someone for sure picked your son's ipod up by mistake and it should be observed by serial numbers, what songs are on it and so on. even if or not they have been deleted - so can they please all examine and make contact with her in the journey that they have got the incorrect one so it should be lower back? She may also deliver a note abode to the moms and dads announcing an identical. (Yeah, it appears like it wasn't an coincidence, yet in case you want it decrease back you may want to grant this different kinfolk a way out of admitting their son stole it.)

Answer 8

Tell him to tell his friend you know about it and he has to return it or you are telling the friends parents and the parents of the kid who got their ipod stolen.
Why are you not telling the other kids parents exactly?
Wouldnt you want to know if your child had done something like that?
I think you need to be an example and do the right thing.

Answer 9

Hi there...

Kinda a touchy situation but I went through that before. What my parents did with my little brother is offer him something in return for it. Kind of like offer a free pizza or something like that! Otherwise I would just tell him to give it back or else.. LOL . Hope this helps ya out and good luck!

Answer 10

Your son should tell the owner who has it and let them deal with it. If the kid who has it gets in trouble, maybe he'll think twice before he rips somebody off again. Do you really want your son hanging out with this kid?