Stolen Goods
My son attends an awesome “day” camp during the summers. They do a ton of sport-like activities, water play, crafts, and field trips that really--we don’t have time to do as a 2-parent working family. Not only does it provide the “day care” during my work week, it lets The Kiddo be a kid, play, and have a ton of fun and meet new friends every year.
But there’s been a problem this year. He’s found that some of his items have been stolen OUT of his camp bag before he heads home. It’s the small things--the toy light up sword thing that he won after a day at an arcade and traded in all of his tickets. Or the trading card he also won at a carnival/fair. Or just the item he made that day to bring him with Popsicle sticks, glue, and colored paper.
Now, you can tell me that is life and it is likely happening to all the other kids too (it is). But is it too much for me to ask for the camp organizers to, um, say something? I mean, they do this great group thing every morning where the kids are screaming answers, guessing the day’s activities, singing Kumbuya (not really, but it sounded good). Couldn’t they just, maybe, let the kids know that stealing really isn’t a nice thing. And maybe to STOP.
Every year this has been an issue to a degree. But this year a bit more than others. I can’t help but think--and my son has said as much--that he thinks one of his “friends” is taking the items. Not much of a friend is it? And how crushing for him. Yesterday it was this glowing gun thing and he was absolutely crushed. Tears. Sobbing. And almost a self-induced asthma attack.
Did he over react? Maybe a bit, but I can’t help but feel sorry for the kid, he’s had a rough few days and this was the final straw for him this week. HIS STUFF IS GETTING STOLEN. And it seems he’s the only kid within that group that has this issue.
So who do I talk to? His group leader (he “reports” what is stolen each and every time right after he knows it is gone)? The camp organizers (again, we tell them each time)? Or do I just let my over-controlling mother attitude go? I mean, I do realize that the world is not fair or nice, but when can we as parents start to take a little action here? I don’t want to run there right when he returns to the main gate for pick up… he gets more play time for soccer and basketball if he stays that extra hour.
UPDATE: My son, bless is sweet heart confronted his little group. Yup. The kid stood his ground and asked his buddies, if anyone accidentally took his toy home. Surprisingly a kid admitted to "borrowing" it for a few days. And with that, he's supposed to bring it back by next week. For that kid's sake, I hope he does. My son might just beat him up if he doesn't. It took all his courage to speak up. Good Job Kiddo! May the force continue to be with you...
But there’s been a problem this year. He’s found that some of his items have been stolen OUT of his camp bag before he heads home. It’s the small things--the toy light up sword thing that he won after a day at an arcade and traded in all of his tickets. Or the trading card he also won at a carnival/fair. Or just the item he made that day to bring him with Popsicle sticks, glue, and colored paper.
Now, you can tell me that is life and it is likely happening to all the other kids too (it is). But is it too much for me to ask for the camp organizers to, um, say something? I mean, they do this great group thing every morning where the kids are screaming answers, guessing the day’s activities, singing Kumbuya (not really, but it sounded good). Couldn’t they just, maybe, let the kids know that stealing really isn’t a nice thing. And maybe to STOP.
Every year this has been an issue to a degree. But this year a bit more than others. I can’t help but think--and my son has said as much--that he thinks one of his “friends” is taking the items. Not much of a friend is it? And how crushing for him. Yesterday it was this glowing gun thing and he was absolutely crushed. Tears. Sobbing. And almost a self-induced asthma attack.
Did he over react? Maybe a bit, but I can’t help but feel sorry for the kid, he’s had a rough few days and this was the final straw for him this week. HIS STUFF IS GETTING STOLEN. And it seems he’s the only kid within that group that has this issue.
So who do I talk to? His group leader (he “reports” what is stolen each and every time right after he knows it is gone)? The camp organizers (again, we tell them each time)? Or do I just let my over-controlling mother attitude go? I mean, I do realize that the world is not fair or nice, but when can we as parents start to take a little action here? I don’t want to run there right when he returns to the main gate for pick up… he gets more play time for soccer and basketball if he stays that extra hour.
UPDATE: My son, bless is sweet heart confronted his little group. Yup. The kid stood his ground and asked his buddies, if anyone accidentally took his toy home. Surprisingly a kid admitted to "borrowing" it for a few days. And with that, he's supposed to bring it back by next week. For that kid's sake, I hope he does. My son might just beat him up if he doesn't. It took all his courage to speak up. Good Job Kiddo! May the force continue to be with you...
