Another kid ripped my son off at school!
By betsyraeduke
@betsyraeduke (2670)
United States
October 16, 2008 4:45pm CST
Today I sent my 6yr. old son, Adrian, to school with a $5 dollar bill. The money was so that he could buy a book at the bookfair, which he told me that he wanted. When he got home from school today, he did not have the book from the bookfair that he wanted. He told me that he did not get to go to the bookfair today.
He did not buy anything else either, but instead of the $5 bill that I had sent him to school with, he had only three $1 dollar bills. I asked Adrian why he had the three $1 dollar bills instead of the $5 dollar bill that I had sent with him this morning. He told me that during recess time another kid had "traded" him the the three $1 dollar bills for the $5 dollar bill. This kid told Adrian that the three $1 dollar bills were more money then the $5 dollar bill that he (Adrian) had. My son did not know/understand that it wasn't. I think that this other kid purposely tricked and ripped my son off.
Now I'd say that $2 in itself is not worh making a fuss over, but in this case I believe it's the principle of the matter that counts. If I knew of my kids ever doing something like that to anyone, I would make them give the money back to say the least.
I'm not sure who the kid is that ripped off my son and I'm not positive that my son even knows the kid's name since he seemed unsure about that, but Adrian did say that he could definitely point the kid out if asked. I am unable to get to my kid's school tomorrow to talk to Adrian's teacher in person about the matter, but I did write her a note to be taken and given to her by my son when he goes to school tomorrow.
In the note I explained to Adrian's teacher what had happened and where the event had taken place. I told her that Adrian said that he could point out the kid who done it. I went on to say that I was not sure if anything could be done, but that I hoped that something could and that the parents of the kid that ripped my son off could at least be notified. However, I have never had to deal with a situation like this before, so I am not sure if anything will be done about it or not or if the teacher/school will even care.
Has anyone ever had a situation like this to deal with before? Do you think that I am handling it in the right way or would you handle it differently? Do you think that my son's teacher will even care about it and try to find out who the kid is? Do you think the school will notify the parents of kid that ripped my kid off? How would you feel in this situation?
3 people like this
12 responses
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
16 Oct 08
Oh that is so sad, but I guess this just may make your little boy smarter in the future, I believe it is this sort of thing that makes us learn quick, in the future he may be a lot more aware...oh I hope he gets the book he wanted...he reminds me of myself when I was a little one...
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
16 Oct 08
He'll probably get his book tomorrow. I think that he will know better in the future. I think that the other kid's parents should be notified of the situation, if my kids were going around conning people I would want to know about it.
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
16 Oct 08
I guess it could be a good thing to have the parents of the little boy informed...
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Look at it this way, at my son's school, kindergarten and 1st grade have recess together and the other grades go out at a different time. Since this happened to my son during recess, that means that it was most likely a 6yr or 7yr. old kid that ripped my son off/conned him. If this kid is already doing stuff like that this young, what will he be like in a few years when he's older if the action is not dealt with and corrected now? That's why I would want to know if it were my kid doing that kind of stuff.
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I hope that the teacher can look at the situation. Maybe she could turn this into a lesson. I also think that you are going to have to beware of this kind of trick more and more. You are probably going to have to teach your son how to keep from being ripped off. I wish kids would not take advantage of each other like that but I don't think that will ever happen. Stay in touch with your son and have conversations with him about his school days. I would also stay in touch with the teachers so you and she are aware of what is going on every day. Good luck.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Good idea. Too bad we have to arm our kids against other children.
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I explained to Adrian why the three $1 dollar bills were less then the one $5 dollar bill that he had. I believe that he will now know better in the future.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
18 Oct 08
Theft by deception is a crime. Yes, it was only $2.00, but if you don't report it, you are teaching the thief that he can victimize kids at will.
Report it to your son's teacher, the principal, the school board and the police. Of course, if they are like most school officials, they will be too lazy to care, but you will also start a paper trail.
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
18 Oct 08
I did report it to my son's teacher and a note was sent to the other kid's parents and the event was noted at school.
@leahsfrog (120)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I have not come across a situation like this yet with my children. I have had the teacher send home a sealed envelope that contained $20 that my son took to school (we had been searching for it all that day), he was only in Kindergarten then and really did not understand he was not supposed to take it. Once we talked to him about it he understood and we have not had a problem since.
I think you are going about this intelligently and with compassion for the other child, as you said it is most likely another wee one who did this. By letting his teacher know about the situation she can let the recess officials know to look out for this child in the future to make sure he is not doing the same with other children. Hopefuly, she listens to your concerns and takes the steps needed to protect the other children and help this child learn what he is doing is wrong.
The school probably will not notify the parents unless they can absolutely prove he did as he is accused, I remember doing crazy things in school that got me in trouble and no one ever told my parents. My mom's mouth drops everytime I tell her about some of the things.
I woudld most likely feel the same as you do in this situation, if this child is that young and already a con artist then we are all in big trouble. I am firecly protective of my children when I feel they have been wronged or hurt so I know I would have been extremely irritated and quick to call the school.
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
17 Oct 08
That was an insightful and well thought out reply. Thanks.
@Lazers (152)
•
17 Oct 08
The fact that this kid took advantage of Adrian is disgusting, and i think you have taken the right course of action, and i hope the kid gets caught, and suitably punished.
On the otherhand, i think you should of taught himmthe values of money before sending him in with a $5 note.
Next time make sure he knows that he ONLY should buy this book and do NOTHING else with it.
I hope he gets his money back, and good luck to you.
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
17 Oct 08
I have taught him about money in the past, I thought that he understood, I did not realize that he was still a little confused about the values of the bills until that happened to him. I explained it to him again more clearly and showed him examples of what I was saying and checked for his understanding. He understands now, but didn't yesterday when it happened.
@emarie (5442)
• United States
17 Oct 08
i would be a little upset because he made that decision. my son is 6 and just had his book fair. we didn't have any money and i couldn't go, but i did contemplate one time sending money with him but then said no.
this becomes one of those live and learn situations. i would tell my son that he couldn't buy the book he wanted anymore and more teach him that he himself got ripped off. i probably would have also notified the teacher as well. but this is also just a good learning experience for your son and now he should know not to trade and become slightly better in math and money skills. i know my son learned about money in kindergarten so i'm sure they're teaching them.
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
17 Oct 08
My son is learning about money but he struggles and has difficulty in some areas of school. I will still let my son buy the book, it is not his fault that someone took advantage of him, I will not punish my child for another child tricking him. I did explain to my son why the three $1 dollar bills were less then the $5 dollar bill that he had. I am sure that he will know better in the future, but I think that is lesson enough.
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Wow..that's crazy. I know that on the bus that my children ride there is a little girl that tries to convince the kids to give her the snacks out of their lunches. She'd been doing it to a little boy my son plays with for about two weeks before he told me and then I told his mother. She was also trying to give my daughter juice boxes in trade for money and my daughter was smart enough to tell me right away.
Now the girl is not allowed near our children. She's in 5th grade and my daughter is only in second, and the little boy she was robbing is in First. If it were up to me I'd ban her from riding the bus all together.
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
16 Oct 08
I sometimes have to wonder what this world is coming to that we have young kids not even in their teens yet stealing from and conning people.
1 person likes this
@misterevil (47)
•
17 Oct 08
I would get him to identify the child, demand the other child return the $5, then go and see his parents and inform them
all the best urban
@debby28 (89)
• United States
16 Oct 08
I would be p----- off that is horrible why do kids have to be so evil. I love all kids I really do, but some times you wonder who taught them that. They are to small to think of it alone so they saw it some where. Good Luck with getting this problem fix.
@betsyraeduke (2670)
• United States
16 Oct 08
Yeah, it does make you have to wonder from whom, or even if, these kids are being taught the basics of right and wrong.
1 person likes this
@artibg (292)
• Bulgaria
17 Oct 08
I think it's not the 2 dollars what matters in this situation. I hope that Adrian's teacher will do something because teachers must help should any problems between students occur. The very least,as you said, that can be done is to notify this kid's parents. May be if they know what's actually going on they'll sort this out and prevent this kid from future problems when he grows up
@ljq897 (77)
• China
17 Oct 08
Hey,my friends,dont be surprised!If you lived in China,you would not write those words.For what,you may ask me,now i told u that it is so ordiany that it occure everday in China .First,some teachers will keep childen stay at classroom ,one day,two day,until you find something is wrong,after you sent a "red bag" to the teachers,the child will be home on time.I dont know where are you from,so that i cant tell you what will happend in your country.
