One of my three teens has stolen a bar of chocolate

[Member869894]

I know it sounds petty but I feel really upset - I had a big bar of chocolate in my bag to share after lunch an hour ago and now it has vanished. Stout denials all around.

I feel like throwing lunch in the bin.

It really upsets me that one of them would go through my bag and steal from me and then deny it

Sincere apologies OP, and thank you youknowmedontyou you did say it was to share.

Also, you say it was a 'big' bar of chocolate. How big is big? Would one of them really sit and scoff a whole large bar of chocolate in one go?

Surely one person eating a whole large chocolate bar in one sitting is going to feel pretty sick soon after.

I know, no substitute for chocolate, but why, I wonder is there no emoticon available for chocolate. I would hate to think that MN HQ is hogging it all for themselves.

This is bloody good point Viques

Can you not tell which one is lying? Two of mine can’t lie to save their lives and are pretty honest anyway. One is....flexible with the truth and in this scenario I would have a prime suspect.

@BlueJava the chocolate was to share, but even if it wasn't since when it's fucking selfish for a parent to get something for themselves as a treat?

Agree wifi off..
My dds know not to go through my handbag, it is like opening someone elses post. Fine if permission has been asked, otherwise very disrespectful.
I am curious as to why the teen went into your handbag though, did he/she know that there was chocolate in there ?

TinklyLittleLaugh
Can you not tell which one is lying? Two of mine can’t lie to save their lives and are pretty honest anyway. One is....flexible with the truth and in this scenario I would have a prime suspect.

It doesn't mean that your "prime suspect" is lying, as you say your other two are "pretty honest".

My experience of collective punishment is that one of us always used to own up (even when we hadn't done it) just so we didn't all have to face the threatened punishment. So I really wouldn't bother going that route. D check their teeth.

Change the internet password. Look on the bottom of your router. You’ll see an IP address, a user name, and a password. Log in. Click the security tab, enter old password. Enter new password.

They’ll crack.

pigs is quite right. Whoever it was is going to feel sick later on, punishment enough.

Didn’t you say you had made a huge wobbling chocolate steamed pudding with creamy custard for supper tonight OP? Maybe one teen will be a tad green when offered it and refuse. All the more for everyone else so win win.

Er...... don't stare at MN! There is an emoticon already.

It's just the word chocolate between the usual brackets. Not always in the list.

@Bluetrews25

So MNHQ are keeping the secret? I sense a conspiracy!!!

It's not about the chocolate as you say, it's about being able to trust them. My teens wouldn't take something out the cupboard without asking never mind from my bag. It's not that they aren't allowed stuff from the cupboards and I remind them regularly that there is stuff there to help themselves to, they just don't unless it's offered. The only rule is not to eat something for lunch that's obviously meant to be for a family meal. e.g. a pack of chicken thighs or a family sized steak pie. I usually tell them when I've shopped what things are there for lunch. We have a bowl with coins in it that they can freely take for buying the odd drink etc.

I have been in a similar situation, totally convinced something had vanished from my bag, and only realised no one stole anything because no one else was there. Otherwise I would certainly have blamed DCs.
So three things. 1) it might not be stolen. Take a moment to consider this possibility.
2) if it is, the more angry you get, the less likely it is you’re going to get your children to confide in you.
3) if they’re stealing from you, which you’re right is a huge violation, especially if they’ve never shown any sign of this before, there’s something else going on. You need to find out what, and going quiet will be more likely to get results.

Don’t punish them all—you’ll just look unfair and weak. Say you’re sad it’s gone as it means you’re not going to be buying chocolate again soon. Try and work our what else has changed.

Thank you Bluetrews.

So, MN is keeping the chocolate emoticona secret are they, well two can play at that game. I am inventing my own emoticon [doughnutwithlotsofjam].

HA, none of you can see it can you?? Mwah ha ha.all that lusciousness is mine, all mine.....

The only rule is not to eat something for lunch that's obviously meant to be for a family meal. e.g. a pack of chicken thighs or a family sized steak pie.

Used to have this with DS when he was a hollow-legged teenager. Would eat an entire cooked M&S chicken and a loaf of bread as a "snack". I had to put "DO NOT EAT" notices on stuff.

Can I have some Viques?

I'll share my [familysizedboxofmalteasers] emoticon with you.

@Asta19 You said you'd lost a baking tray... I found one of mine sandwiched between two (ordinary) trays - have you looked there?

Is no-one else thinking of Marilla's brooch in Anne of Green Gables?

@SonEtLumiere
What an unpleasant and judgmental post.
I’m sure you’re a perfect parent.

Do you know how much cash you have in your bag on a day to day basis op? If not, I'd start taking note. I doubt it's the first time your bag's been rifled, just the first time you've noticed.

WaxOnFeckOff can I come and live with you, I like the cut of your jib. Sounds lovely, will bring gin (and chocolate)

YoThePussy

You are welcome any time but you can keep the Gin :o I can't stand the stuff unfortunately.