How would you deal with this in your house - small amount of money taken

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Neither DC can spend it at the moment! It’s about £10 in silver/ pound coins and the coppers have been left. From a tin we’d been using in maths - otherwise would have been in my purse.
Both flatly deny, of course, DD most loudly, with door slamming.
Ages 8 and 12.
Hasn’t happened before. I know it’s only a small amount, but it is deliberate and of course they know it’s wrong.
I’ve said that I won’t be spending any money on them until it is returned (it has to be in the house still as they haven’t been anywhere!)
DD still stomping (she wanted a new iPad app today).
I’ve been entirely calm (although I’m strangely upset) but have just said that I expect it to be returned to the tin today.
How would you deal with this? Or have you?
Thanks.

I would take away their privileges until one of them owned up

Same boat last week with 45 quid...
Then I remembered where I had moved it to.

Officially my first senior moment...

Assuming it definitely couldn't have been anyone else

Definitely no one else. Nobody else in the house, DH and I haven’t used cash all week.

You're absolutely right to treat it seriously. Hopefully the money will be returned today. It sounds as though it was did because otherwise she'd be having a go at her sibling. Good luck.

Tbh, I wouldn't notice. Isn't that what you're supposed to do at that age with coins laying around the house so you can sneak off to the corner store and buy a cheeky icecream? I would probably ask for it back to do maths if I needed it, but wouldn't get mad about it.

I don’t agree, Brownie. I think they both have a very entitled attitude to money because we do have it and don’t have to worry (at present!). I still think they need to develop respect for others’ property. I know this is only a small thing, but part of the learning that they still need.

I would say that you expect whoever it is who took it to be sure it is to be returned by x time, otherwise you will be removing privileges.

Just tell them where to return it to, make sure its a place you're not going to be hanging around.

Once it is returned explain to both of them the seriousness of theft.

I think I'd sit them both down, explain that it's wrong and that you're giving the one who took it the opportunity to own up - and if they do then for their honesty (I know delayed!) you won't punish them. But say that the consequences will be worse next time and really make sure they both know that even small amounts of money like that is theft.

I would call a family meeting round the kitchen table and state that you are very sad that the money has been mislaid...if however anyone could help you find it you would be really happy , I would try this way to let the person who may have taken it save face, You can say something like right each of us take a room and see if we can find it as its very important to me.If whoever has taken it finds it then you can say oh your brilliant thank you so much,,I thought it had been taken and that was worrying me cos thats the wrong thing to do isnt it xxxx?But you have found it for me silly mum thinking that! Calm and steady you can solve this without too much fuss and make your point firmly. Do this and it will turn up!Kids jhate to know parents are worried or upset so if they have made a "mistake" then you can be a bit generous just this once.

Already ‘found’ enthusiastically by both of them. Thanks

Excellent. Im glad it returned and they did the right thing.