I was babysitting and.....

[lilsteven]

So, I was babysitting the last 3 days for this girl I know. The little girl was doing something I find to be strange and I don't know if I should say something to the mother. AND if i do, how to say it exactly without offending her.
The first day after I got her ready to go to school on the way out the door, she grabbed one of Steven's 101 dalmations figurines off the table and put it in her coat pocket. I explained to her that no toys go to school .

The 2nd day, we are playing a fishing game. She asked if she could have the one of blue fish. I told her the game doesn't come with any extra fishes, I need all of them to go into the holes so you can play. She took all of them out and then said she was going to put the game away. I told her, she had to put the fishes back in the holes but I would help her. Well, when we got done would you know I am missing 2 fish. They were in her pocket and they were the blue ones.

Now, today we are walking out the door to go to school, and Steven starts freaking out saying she has something in her hand. I asked her, she said no. Steven, kept on insisting she did. Sure enough when I asked her to open her hand, she has a Diego game piece to another game.

I explained to her, it's not nice to take things from other people's houses.

Now do I tell her mom ? She is 4 years old.
Please let me know, I don't know if I don't say anything if it is worse.
Thanks.

[mcqueenmom]

Nov. 12, 2007 at 8:13 PM i think that is normal for kids wanting to take things to school but yes i would tell the mom

[navyma23]

Nov. 12, 2007 at 8:13 PM I would want to know if my child is a clepto. I would mention something. Don't worry her mom will understand she is only 4.

[teach_ohio]

Nov. 12, 2007 at 8:13 PM That is tough because you might not get a good reaction from the mother. I would definitely tell her though, so she can take care of this problem now. Tell her what you just wrote up there, all of those instances, it wasn't just a one time thing. I'm sure she'll be upset but hopefully she'll realize it's not you should needs to focus that negative energy on. She needs to talk with her dd and tell her how stealing is wrong. For now, pat her down before she leaves your house!

[Helen]

Nov. 12, 2007 at 8:15 PM Of course you should tell the mom.  It is a problem the mom has to deal with.  My sd had problems with stealing when she was 8.  Her mom allowed the babysitter call the police on her.  That I felt was wrong.  Also, her mother said she would get her counseling.  She didn't.  At 14 she stole from her teacher.  She was suspended.

[inlove2007]

Nov. 12, 2007 at 8:21 PM I would tell the mom about her daughter, wouldn't you want to know about your child's behavior with someone else.You also don't want the mother thinking you helped her daughter learn that type of behavior. I would definitely mention it for the child's best interest.

[lilsteven]

Nov. 12, 2007 at 9:53 PM

Thanks for the vote of confidence, I am just super scared of the mom's reaction.

 

(Original Poster)