I took her back to the pharmacy part of the pharmacy where she found it and told her that she needed to hand it to the pharmacist and tell her that she was sorry that she took it, that it was wrong, and that she wouldn't do it again. I seem to recall reading that this is how parents deal with their teenagers shoplifting.
But she's only five.
Sigh.
And at five her concept of right and wrong isn't a developed as yours. She might really (really) have thought that little things like that are like the toys the dentist gives out.
ReplyDeleteProbably she didn't think much about it at all.
Although I think you handled it well. It was a teachable moment.
Little Chief boosted some candy on Day 2 while we were in the grocery store. Unluckily for her, my "eyes in the back of my head" had just opened and I caught her in the act. Nipped it in the bud and we didn't have a problem after that.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you handled it appropriately.
I think it's pretty normal for young kids, actually. It's when they're still forming their concepts of what is right and wrong. I remember stealing a pack of gum that was already opened from a store once, when I was about 7 or 8- I figured it was ok because someone had already opened it. My mom didn't catch me, but even if she did, it would have been just a teachable moment, as Yondalla said- I didn't know it was wrong at the time. Hopefully she learned it this one time! Good luck having Sabrina back!
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