Thursday, December 3, 2009

Z's Life of Crime

"Shoplifter Attempts to Steal Light Up Toy in Target"

This is what the headlines would read if anyone other than me (and now all of you) knew what was going on in the Christmas section of Target the other day.  Z found this light up toy and was absolutely mesmerized by it.  He carried it around with him, as I found the last few goodies to send in my Aunt's holiday package.  He asked me over and over to bring it home and I told him "no".  When I was finished, I asked him to put it back because we had to go and check out.  I turned around to grab his hand and shuffle him along when I saw him trying very hard to shove the toy in his pocket!!!!

I stopped there in the middle of the store, got down on his level and calmly asked him for the toy.  I put it back on the shelf and asked him what he was doing with the toy.  "I want that toy Momma."  When I asked him what I had told him to do with the toy, he looked down at the ground in shame.  He finally said, "put it back".  I then asked him if he knew what the word steal meant (heavy lesson for a three year old) and he said "no".  I explained that it was against the rules to take things from stores unless you pay the store for them.  I told him that when rules like this are broken it is a very big deal.  We then spent the rest of the shopping trip talking about how important it was to not break the rules and when we got to the cashier, I explained that I was paying for all of our items.

There was no trip to the chicken store for young Z and he was very upset.  I explained that he hadn't listened to me and so we would have lunch at home.  I then called daddy and told him what had happened so that Z could hear every word of our conversation.  I know this is quite the lesson for a three year old and this is just the beginning of our teaching.  I was not upset that he attempted to steal the toy (he has no idea what stealing is) but I was upset that he did not listen to me when I asked him to put it back and disobeyed me by putting it in his pocket.  S and I plan to role play with him and have him more involved in the paying part of our shopping experiences.  This is only the beginning of the heavy stuff that I know we will have to deal with in the years to come!!!!  Yikes ;)

13 comments:

Beth P. said...

Sounds like you handled that perfectly! He may not know what stealing is, or why that would be wrong, but he should know to follow the rules you give him. What a great idea to call your husband too. I need to keep that in mind!

Tracie said...

Why can't parenting just be about laughing, snuggling, kissing, and playing? I don't do well with the heavy stuff. Sounds like you handled it great.

Lee-Ann said...

They try these things so innocently not knowing the consequences. It sounds like you did an awesome job with it though Mama. :o)

{Cassandra} said...

It is so wonderful to hear that you didn't yell or cause a scene. Those moments in the store make me cringe.

This teacher gives you an A++++.

and, hopefully, little z has learned from this.

MommyLisa said...

That sounds like you did a great job!

MamaB said...

Sounds like you handled it very well! Even though Z is three and doesn't know what stealing is, he does know that there are consquences if he doesn't do what Mommy and Daddy say. I think this is one lesson that he learned and probably won't repeat again. Good job Momma!

Mom said...

WELCOME TO THE "TOUGHER SIDE" OF BEING A PARENT!

We are going to have to find Z a next door neighbor he can go to when Mom and Dad are too hard on him.

I am so glad that he has seen the error of his ways and won't embarrass us with his name in the Police Crime section of the newspaper. Especially since his Uncle M is a police officer.

Give my little guy a kiss from Neene!

Connie said...

Great job Momma!

Babe in Babeland said...

Oh my goodness...parenting just gets harder and harder,doesn't it?? I thought I got through the hardest part--the first year! But now I'm realizing this is just the beginning! I think you handled it grrrreat.

Annie said...

You did a great job and the most important thing is that you explained to him everything. Comunication is the beat key to teach our kids.

Courtney said...

I tagged you in a Christmas MEME if you would like to participate!

Poolside with the Girls said...

Awww! You handled that perfectly.
Good mommy!

Nicolasa said...

It sounds like you handled this situation perfectly! What a great idea to call dad so that Z could hear it again.

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