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!

Ok. But move on from the stealing. This happened. Now move on.

Why is your income so low? You should be getting at least £850ish from UC and then you get CB on top, and Scottish child payment if you’re in Scotland (unlikely). But you should still be getting at least £900 a month.

How old is your child? If you get a job, UC will pay the majority of your childcare bill. You will be better off. Maybe it’s time to get a job.

But look- this suggests you are thinking of stealing from other shops!

Why have you not commented on all the posts suggesting the child's father is chased for maintenance and you get yourself help with budgeting- and being open about exactly how much money you get?

This is what you need to work on.

Plus unless the OP puts something in place, this will happen again. It is better for the right people to help, such as has been mentioned here, several times over.

Mobile bill (£45 a month)
Gas, electic
Bus fairs

There are so many unpleasant and judgemental posts on here.
I hope to god that those of you who post them find themselves on the bare bones of their arse.
If you can’t find some empathy and understanding you are a very sad individual.

Op I really hope things get better for you. I’ve been in your position money wise. It’s not fun but things do get better.

I don't care. It is a choice to steal when it is not the last option available to you. Plenty of people survive on a lot less. And I know, "surviving" is not a great life, but no one is entitled to improve it by stealing from others.

My childs 6 months old

Food banks unfortunately don't give out baby milk, not the Trussell Trust ones at least. But they'd give you other provisions, which may offset the cost of the milk.

Your mobile is £45 a month? Bloody hell. Mine is £7 with EE.
How the hell are you paying that for a mobile?
Presumably that is paying for the phone as well.

How much are your gas and electric?

Shame is hopefully the feeling of learning a lesson... just don't forget that feeling though and take their kindness as a lack of real consequences though because you'll be known now and the next time you could face the magistrates. I'm sure your child doesn't want to be living somewhere else for 6 months while you serve time as a repeat shoplifter.

The subtle drop of 'stealing formula' seems like you want sympathy but there are systems across the UK to provide for children who need it including milk vouchers as well as food banks so it not sympathetic really. These are mentioned in all you baby packs, books, by HV etc... I live in a 'deprived' area and most of us round here have been on the bones of our arse with babies and not shoplifted.

There is also no way of justifying stealing luxuries like moisturizers which stands out more. If you are struggling with something like kleptomania then you can self refer to CBT (although many aren't taking non urgent cases but it will be on record) and speak to your GP.

Seriously. That really was below the belt.

Gas and electic roughly £40 a week

And your phone might just be a sim only.

Mine is including phone. And before anyone starts I took this phone contract out near enough 2 years ago before I had my baby and before I was unemployed!

So they will be on solids now as well as milk.
Please don't buy expensive pouches of baby food. Learn to ween your baby with food you buy ad cook from scratch. The price of ready made baby food is horrendous.

What's done is done. Put it behind you. They didn't call the police, that's lucky.
You are not an evil person, you make a mistake.

Well that’s good. Nurseries take babies from 6 months old and a lot of women go back to work when their babies reach that age.

Time to start sorting your CV and looking for work. If you don’t want to work right now, that’s fair, but why don’t you list your total incomings and total outgoings. We can help. Honestly, a lot of us have been where you are financially. Let us help.

Obviously I have bills!

I thought police won’t attend unless £100 of goods are stolen.
I have a family member who works in a supermarket and they are told to just let them leave, must depend if shop has a security guard.

If your phone is nearly 2 years old, you might be able to move into a sim only deal soon as you will have paid it off, which will save some cash, worth checking where you are with the contract.

That sounds very high for gas and electric. That's £2000 a year. At the moment, I have a friend who lives alone in a small 3-bed house and she pays around £30 a week for gas/ electric.

In the meantime, what is happening with the milk situation OP? Have you phoned the HV, or Doctors surgery for help. I may have missed where you said you had.

I think iTunes was meant to be “bills.” That poster wasn’t being rude or below the belt. They’re trying to figure out the OP’s situation by asking if the £500 is spending money or do bills need to be paid out if that too.

I will sort that out tomorrow, a few people sent me some links to websites for help, so will have a good read of them when my childs in bed tonight

@Ivehearditbothways thank you. I’ll apologise if you’re correct. And you probably are.

You're getting a hard time partly because you are clearly unwilling to be totally upfront about your income and what your essential outgoings are.

I am also disgusted that men father children and walk away.
You need to chase him up. Even if this baby was the result of a one night stand or an accidental pregnancy, that's still his responsibility 50%.

Do these posters honestly think that someone stealing for a ‘thrill’ would then go onto post on mumsnet because they were embarrassed.

Honestly what is the world coming to, I hope to god none of you are in a situation where you feel you have no choice but to steal baby milk