Let's say he was observed stealing by several other students, and they turned him in to the principal. The stolen item is found in his locker, but there is no name on it. It is an item that is very commonly found, and your son claims that it is his, but just happens to be the same type as the missing item. The principal calls to tell you all this. Will you back up your son's story or will you rat him out?
2007-12-08 17:27:45 · 28 answers · asked by legendofslipperyhollow 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
I would rat him out because that is the only way that he will know that it is wrong to do that type of thing. If you back him up with his lie, he will be conditioned to think that he will be able to steal again in the future, and get away with it.
2007-12-08 17:32:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would be honest. I think the act of the honesty will have a more lasting positive impact on the child than lying.
If the adolescent is having trouble stealing, I would be very upset with him, and not only would he be in trouble at school and possibly with the law, but also at home. I would definitely let my child know that I loved him, but that I expected him to be a more honest, decent, law-abiding citizen.
I don't think it is right for parents to lie about things their children do--it only encourages the child to continue to do the thing they know is wrong.
2007-12-09 02:48:13 · answer #2 · answered by Amber E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If my kid was caught stealing I would tear his butt up with a switch after I told the principal to throw the book at him. Telling a lie to get your kid out of trouble will never teach them that there are consequences to their actions and that lying is ok.
2007-12-09 03:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should no let your kid get away with this and if you love him you will punish him for stealing he needs to learn there are consequenses for breaking the law and depending on what the item was worth it can be a felony would you want him to be in jail for stealing something from walmart even if he didnt steal enough to make a felony he would have that on his record when he tries to get a job- or is he gonna live with you for the rest of his life? i didnt mean that in a mean way im just saying if you take care of this now it might prevent him from doing it again. so yeah for his sake rat rat rat
2007-12-09 01:35:42 · answer #4 · answered by child4jc74 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What does this teach him by lying? That it's OK? Too many parents stick up for their children regardless of what they do, and that's ridiculous. The child needs to suffer the consequences of his/her actions - that is how they learn and develop. If the parent bails the child out, the child will develop to think that he can be bailed out of any situation that he gets himself into, that he is somehow above the rules and regulations set forth by society, and that certainly is not a good thing to be indirectly teaching a child.
I noticed a poster below pointing out that "A good lawyer never has a guilty client." Are you ******* kidding me? You are not a lawyer, you are a PARENT. Lawyers have zero intentions for their client other than doing everything they can to try and defend them from the law. Often times, the best lawyer is not the one who has all the facts or the best intentions, but the one who is clever enough to promote the best case. I'm glad that the other answerers have the right idea but this one just struck a chord - making an analogy from a parent to a lawyer? Give me a ******* break.
2007-12-09 01:30:41 · answer #5 · answered by bada_bing2k4 4 · 8⤊ 2⤋
if i knew it was theirs then yes if not then i would just ask if there was proof besides the other kids and if not then i would just discipline the kid myself (grounding for a month and any cash gotten for christmas (if not christmas time then allowance) would go to the owner of the stolen item even if it was above and beyond the cost of the item and the actual item would have to be returned
if theres proof other than just hear say then i'd let the principal handle it (unless the punishment was expulsion then i would try to negotiate a suspension with other consequences)
2007-12-09 01:35:30 · answer #6 · answered by squeaker 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Even thoughh I am an adolescent (aged 14) and not a parent of one, I think the parent soould tell the truth and lead by example to their child. If the parent covered up the adolescent's bad deed, then the adolescent would expect that all the time and have no punishment, but if they have to face the consequences then maybe they wont do it again.
Does this make sense?
2007-12-09 01:32:33 · answer #7 · answered by Gabby [xXx] 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
absolutely not. kids are coddled WAY too much these days..."but my little Jimmy's an ANGEL, he would NEVER steal!" screw that. kids need to learn the hard way sometimes, and lying to the principal isn't going to teach him anything. if he needs to be in detention for a few days, fine: i'll even drive him there for a saturday session.
2007-12-09 02:58:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither...you just tell the principal that you will have a talk with your son and then when you get home, you explain to your son that he's to never steal again. He should also be punished for what he did.
2007-12-09 01:30:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Rat him out. He shouldn't be stealing. Serve him right getting caught. Maybe he'll think twice before doing something so stupid next time. What sort of example are you setting for him if you lie for him????
2007-12-09 01:30:15 · answer #10 · answered by The Kelda 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋