WWYD? DD's friend caught steeling

[kathymuggle]

I think I know what I am going to do, but am curious what others think....

DD brought a friend with her to the library (where I work).

The child in question (who will be ten next month) saw a box of tea and asked if she could bring some home to her mother.

This tea is not mine (it belongs to the community centre) so I said "no". I did add I would give her a few tea bags from my house for her mom if she so desired (they have money issues - her mother does like tea, but may not be able to buy some at this time).

We went about our day, and when it was itme to go home, I noticed that the childs bag (which was open - I did not snoop) had tea in it. On closer inspection it had about 25 bags of tea in it. I put the tea back, but did not say a word. I did see her look through the bag, so she must know I spotted and removed it.

So - WWYD? Would you tell her mother?

And...does it matter that the mother is not okay? - for lack of a better word (she has serious issues, including anxiety and paranoia, IMNSHO)

Kathy

[sebandg'smama]

Yes I would tell her mother.

[alima]

I wouldn't tell the mother, I would talk to the girl matter of factly that she cannot take anything that does not belong to her.

I came from a home with lots of problems. I went through a phase of stealing. My parents kept up a reasonable front for the neighbors and outsiders, but once the door closed... I'd be taking a beating every day for weeks for something like this. Being confronted about my bad behavior by someone outside our family would have made things 10 times worse for me, I'd get extra beatings for the embarassment I'd caused.

You don't really know what her home situation is. I'd give her the benefit of the doubt that she can be talked to as a reasonable person.

[pranamama]

I wouldnt say anything, you took it out of her bag, that seems enough to me. I am sure she realizes that you know what she did. Maybe you coud reiterate that when youu said you would give her a few you meant less than 25 tea bags.