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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Stealing advice

6 replies

whattodoisthequestion · 26/09/2022 13:02

Last week I had a pile of change for my childrens bus fares left on the side, there was about £13/14. Monday morning when I came to give some out there was some missing, only about £3/4 but this has happened before and I was a bit fed up about it happening again.
I decided that both teenagers (who the money was for) weren't getting any bus fare until someone owned up to it and had to walk to school (walkable distance) and would lose their phones aside from to and from school.
Today, one of them has text me and said they took it, they've owned up and that was what I wanted.
Here lies the problem I have, both of them have lost privileges for the past week when only one of them should have but it means the person responsible has been punished.
I wanted the truth and I got it, do I now punish them more or move on and accept that's its done now? Or is there an in between?
I'm not sure what is the best course of action and would appreciate someone else's opinion.
Thanks anyone

OP posts:
Billybagpuss · 26/09/2022 13:04

Move on or there’s no incentive to come clean next time.

LegoFiends · 26/09/2022 13:07

Another week of walking for the culprit and the money given to the innocent one as extra pocket money?

Mxyzptlk · 26/09/2022 13:11

Ask both of them, together, what they think would be fair ?

whattodoisthequestion · 26/09/2022 13:19

@Billybagpuss that's what I thought and thank you@Mxyzptlk that's a good idea

OP posts:
XelaM · 26/09/2022 14:53

Definitely move on or your kids will never own up to anything again.

Mamoun · 26/09/2022 14:56

Maybe ask the culprit what he could do to make it up to his sibling?
Like breakfast in bed or baking something or buying them a present...
Something that allows them to move on & spins a positive on the whole thing!

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