I was fuming when my kids stole sweets so decided to make them pay – now everyone’s slamming me for going too far
A WOMAN was slammed for her reaction after her children stole treats from the kitchen.
The mum explained that she made them pay for the goodies they nicked with their Christmas money.
But other parents were concerned that this wasn’t the right response, and suggested the children may not be eating enough.
Taking to Mumsnet, the woman said: “I took [the children’s] Christmas money to replace the sweets and treats they took.
“We do a big shop once a month and I buy all the chocolates/ crisps and other cupboard bits for the month.
“These are for lunchboxes for the kids, dh and for picnics on the weekend (or pack lunches for days out) , also biscuits and breakfast bars. You know, the good stuff?
“I did the shop on the 1st and by the 3rd I thought, the cupboard looked a bit empty on the 3rd (so 2 days) and by the 6th I definitely knew something was up.
“The boxes of cereal bars were empty (but still stacked so first glance there is non missing), all the chocolate had gone, the biscuits had been opened and eaten.”
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The mum told how she and her husband went on to do a big clear out and found “evidence” all over the house.
They discovered wrappers for the snack bars, chocolate and Frubes, Cheesestrings and Baby Bells from the fridge.
She said: “I was so p***ed off I took the kids’ Christmas money and have been using it to replace the items for [my husband’s] lunch only.
“The kids are having no treats in their lunch and I’m only buying fruit.”
She explained that the children had obviously been hoarding snacks for some time as they found a lot of rubbish behind and under their wardrobe.
She continued: “It’s been two weeks since I took their money but I feel so guilty.
“They only get a little bit (it was £40 between them) and they are only 9 and 10 but, also they stole a month’s worth of treats for everyone.
“[My husband] works in a physical job so he gets easy bars he can stick in his pocket, sometimes he is doing a 12-hour shift, very labour intensive and no chance to nip to McDonald’s.”
She finished by saying: “I don’t even know if the lesson has sunk in because they have been eating loads of fruit instead now which is better but obviously costs more than chocolate bars and the price if everything is going up.”
Fellow Mumsnet users were quick to jump in with their thoughts.
One person said: “If they’re resorting to having to steal food, it doesn’t sound like they’re getting enough food.”
Another said: “I would be looking into why they have been taking food, not punishing them for it.”
A third said: “Not great if they are sneaking the food but maybe they are hungry?
“If they are eating fruit surely that means they need it. Kids often eat more frequently than adults.
“As they are growing they burn through it quicker than us. Maybe look at the meals you are making them and make sure they have complex carbs so they stay fuller for longer.”
Another said: “What next? Charging them for flushing the toilet as they are using too much water?
“Also, ‘stealing’, really? They are kids taking snacks from the food cupboard in their home.
“They are kids, kids get hungry and snack. It’s not their fault you are so anal about food.”
While another said: “It’s your children’s home too and I hate the thought of children not feeling they have access to food – it’s a basic right and surely they aren’t ‘stealing’ food in their own home.
“If there is specific treat food you want to ration can you not buy smaller amounts less frequently or put it somewhere they don’t have easy access?”