Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To ask for a suitable punishment for my children

191 replies

Workquestion11 · 09/08/2023 19:33

Most nights we take our youngest and our dog for a walk.
Never occurred to me to lock the back door (don't come for me, I know I know)

Just found out that my two children aged 5 and 6 have been opening our side gate and helping themselves to chocolate, money, juice anything pretty much

I'm so pissed off I don't know how to calm down

OP posts:
bladebladebla1 · 09/08/2023 19:34

I don't get it, where's the stuff?

MangshorJhol · 09/08/2023 19:34

What? What will a 5 and 6 year old do with money even? And are they alone at home?!

TeaStory · 09/08/2023 19:35

Sorry, what have the back door and side gate got to do with chocolate, money, juice etc?

RJnomore1 · 09/08/2023 19:35

Helping themselves from where?

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 09/08/2023 19:35

Nope, you’ve lost me. Explain it again…

Kernsworld · 09/08/2023 19:36

Try again

BansheeofInisherin · 09/08/2023 19:36

You are so pissed off you forgot to explain yourself. Is there a stash of chocolate in your garden shed?

Merryoldgoat · 09/08/2023 19:36

Thank god I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand.

TheChosenTwo · 09/08/2023 19:36

Why are you leaving your 5 and 6 year old at home? Apologies if that’s not what’s happening but your OP is lacking a lot of detail, right now it sounds like you’re the one that needs punishing 😂

Hufflepods · 09/08/2023 19:36

Opening the gate? Are the children locked outside or is the chocolate??
And why would you have money outside the house?

Sunnysummeragain · 09/08/2023 19:37

?

Original poster
Workquestion11 · 09/08/2023 19:37

Okay sorry
So my children are usually playing in the neighbours garden
They are coming in the side gate, opening the back door and helping themselves to any food in the kitchen

OP posts:
Hufflepods · 09/08/2023 19:37

Regardless of where the stuff is or how much cash they have been taking ultimately it’s yourself you need to have a word with, not your kids. 5 & 6 is far too young to be left alone like that.

BiscuitsandPuffin · 09/08/2023 19:37

You're leaving your young children home alone regularly??? WTF??

3luckystars · 09/08/2023 19:37

Sounds like normal stuff for unsupervised children to do at that age.

If it was me, I’d make like Elsa and let it go.

LylaLee · 09/08/2023 19:38

Hufflepods · 09/08/2023 19:36

Opening the gate? Are the children locked outside or is the chocolate??
And why would you have money outside the house?

Are they slipping out the house and going to the corner shop?

TheChosenTwo · 09/08/2023 19:38

Yeah I’m not sure it’s really the children who are at fault here.

BiscuitsandPuffin · 09/08/2023 19:38

Who is supervising the children while this is happening and why can't they tell your children "no stay here"??

Badhairday101 · 09/08/2023 19:38

You keep your children in the garden and they come in and steal things while you're out?

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 09/08/2023 19:39

You shouldn’t be leaving such young children, you should be taking them with you.

You also should never punish, that is about power. You should discipline, as that is about teaching a valuable lesson.

Cl0udni93 · 09/08/2023 19:39

I'm so confused! Who's looking after your children whilst your on your walk?

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/08/2023 19:39

Are they being baby sat by the neighbours?

The natural consequences are that they walk the dog with you from now on.

But if you're just leaving them there alone, you are in the wrong.

Notamum12345577 · 09/08/2023 19:40

Badhairday101 · 09/08/2023 19:38

You keep your children in the garden and they come in and steal things while you're out?

She said they are laying in the neighbours garden

Bearonthestair · 09/08/2023 19:40

Who is minding these very small children while you are gone?? Why are they able to roam around unnoticed?

pamplemoussemousse · 09/08/2023 19:40

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 09/08/2023 19:39

You shouldn’t be leaving such young children, you should be taking them with you.

You also should never punish, that is about power. You should discipline, as that is about teaching a valuable lesson.

Not sure I'd do either to a 5 and 6 year old having snacks from their own kitchen Confused whilst apparently left alone in the neighbours garden...