Been Caught Stealing

Not my child. Yes, my child. Stealing Mentos and Trident from the grocery store. I didn't find out until discovering wrappers in the couch later on. Mentos and gum? They are up kinda high on the shelf when all the chocolate bars and mini M&Ms are below. My kid is weird. And ohmygosh he's a shoplifter at 6 years old!

I know I can appear to have my hands full with three little ones trucking around the store, but like all moms, I have eyes in the back of my head. Or so I thought. I totally missed this and he made it home hiding two packages of candy. He didn't even have pockets that day!

I didn't know how to discipline in this situation. Why didn't he just ask me if he could have Mentos? I would have said "No" but he could have at least asked first. Did anyone else see and not say anything? Would the store think I put my kid up to stealing for me? What kid eats Mint Mentos and Trident anyway?

The next day we were back to the store and I explained what had happened to customer service. They were more than kind, "all kids do that," and I paid for the contraband. I made sure my son knew that you can not take anything from the store without paying for it, that Mommy could get in trouble, etc. But I am not sure I really know the best way to handle this. And I thought I was doing pretty good. This Motherhood thing doesn't get easier as we go along?

Stephanie blogs at Adventures In Babywearing.