I got caught shoplifting

[RoseBiscuitll]

I really didn't know what topic to choose for this

I'm mortified, I got caught shoplifting in boots today, I was stealing baby milk and a facial moisturiser. I'm so ashamed of myself. It was in the city center aswell. They didn't call police but they took my details, took a picture and told me I can't return to the store again

Will this picture and my details go around to the other shops near by or will it just go to the other boots shops.

I can't believe I was stupid enough to do this! I'm so embarrassed and also feel really guiltily!

She needs the internet for her UC claim every month.

Fine, do what you want to, but there could be posters on here with big hearts, or vulnerable, who could not really afford to, but would try and send what little they could. The OP has been given some stellar advice already. She has said she will ring someone Tomorrow, She posted early enough to ring today.

Instead of people on here giving op money why doesn't op get a job

I used to say MN should publish how much was offered by posters to those deleted pbps ones...

Because that money could go to a food bank, where people are absolutely genuine. Or a baby bank, and same. Referrals are from CAB, health visitor, social worker etc and checked out and limited across the year. Or a local Food Pantry where low cost food is sold to families on certain benefits.

There are people in these situations, and allowing scammers to siphon off finite donations deprives them.

Which is not to say OP isn't genuine. Just that there's no health visitor, CAB worker or social worker checking. I would absolutely urge people, wanting to help, to set up a really small standing order monthly to a local food pantry or food bank to make sure mums who need things for their babies get them. Which would include the OP, and would mean you could spread that money across the year in a way you'd not miss, but a food bank could rely on - standing orders are their Nirvana in giving terms.

Listen, I don't want money off anybody, and won't be giving details to recieve money off anybody off this site

My post was genuine and true story

As for a few people mentioning my mobile phone bill I have stated I took that phone contract out BEFORE I had my daughter. Whilst i was working also.

Thanks to anyone who have sent links, and given advice I will be looking into all of this.

And the question about me being banned from all boots was genuine, and no not to steal again obviously!

Because SHE'S GOT A BABY. Do you know how much childcare costs?

Op 250 out of 700 seens to be quite alot of money. Is there a shortfall in your rent? Have you applied for (discretionary) housing benefit?

Which UC will pay the bulk of and she will be better off. And plenty of women go back to work when their kids are 6 months old. I went back when mine was 3 months old because I owned the business and had to. She needs to get a job.

I get £600 of my rent paid for me. I have to pay the remaining £250 rent as its £850 in total. My housing benefit doesn't cover the whole cost

I hope you don't teach your kids the same if you have any.

Please see the following link for a list of baby banks.
https://babybankalliance.org/baby-bank-map/
If there is one near to you they should be able to help with essentials like formula, nappies, toiletries and clothing for your baby.

It's mainly paid for I always worked as a single mum and my kids went to nursery. Just like all single mums. Did you think single mums just didn't work or what 🤷‍♀️

Why? Why do you have to pay the rest?

Thankyou, I just looked and there is one right by me

I know but if she also reports him to HMRC then things may shift. It’ll take time but she needs to start taking steps

You poor girl, I feel for you. I do hope things improve.

I'm sure you won't do anything like that again, you've given yourself a fright.

Hold your head up and move on, there is not one person alive who has done nothing wrong and you at least regret it.

Good luck.

Right now you still have a clean record which means even though things are hard now, your future is still bright. Please take it as the wake up call and warning it is, and don't fuck up your life further!

You're luckily just dealing with embarrassment not courts or being unable to apply for all sorts of jobs or positions in the future because you don't have a clean DBS.
Getting done for minor theft is seen as big in lots of jobs where trust is an important element, and many of those are entry level jobs that single mum's need.
Please please for your child's sake as well as yours, don't go getting yourself a criminal record on top of your other problems.

I understand stretching too much, too thin, for too long, and life on bare bones, but just to say going forward, I've found Aldi's Lacuna face cream does do the job if you have uncomfortable dry skin, are budgeting, and can find £1.49.
I hope some of the things others have signposted you to are useful and you can get yourself into a better situation. Give your baby a big hug and make tomorrow the first day of the rest of your life with everything still to play for.

Because my housing benefit allowance is £600 where I'm from. And I could only find a private rented home for £850.

That's what most 2 bed property's are going for around here

Why would you even consider going back to their chain of stores? They may change their mind about not calling the police. Why would you even consider risking it?

Do you need a 2 bed property for a single adult with one 6 months old child?

This was such a lovely comment, thankyou for that!

And you are right, it could of been alot worse. I still feel so ashamed and embarrassed

Thankyou very much x

You can claim a separate benefit called the Discretionary Housing Benefit which will top up your rental payment. You can apply directly from your council's website

Yes, as I will eventually be needing to teach my child she needs to sleep in her own bed and bedroom at some point. Not now obviously. Plus at the time I was looking there were no 1 beds. Only flat/house shares which wouldn't be appropriate with a newborn baby at the time

I've never heard of this, a few people have mentioned this, what is it?