Who is REALLY to blame?

**Lady_V** · 03-24-2009, 07:20 PM

Hello Villagers...

DD and I stopped at the grocery store for some fruit & veggies, while we were there she asked if we could have "Neat Mommas" (my version of sloppy joes) this week.

While cruising down the butcher section to get to the ground chicken, I noticed a mother shopping with 3 sons. The two youngest didn't look thrilled to be there but the oldest one, who looked around 11, wasn't hiding the fact he didn't want to be there at all.

I heard the mother say "Oh, please don't do that" and I noticed the oldest one poking wholes in the meat packages. I was standing no less than 18 inches behind them when he did this.

The mother then told him they are leaving and off they went. DD looked at me because she was confused. The boy 'did wrong' and his Mom didn't say anything to him.

I rang the bell to get the meat worker and handed him one of the punctured packages and told him that he may want to check all the meats because a boy was poking wholes in them. He asked me if I saw it and shook his head when I told him I did.

Together we went through the ground beef (where I had been standing when) and pulled out no less than 7 packs of 5+ pounds.

So, who is to blame? The mother for doing nothing about it? The son who knew it was wrong? Is it me for not chasing them down and confronting them?

**ladykemma2** · 03-24-2009, 07:30 PM

there have been times i have put on my schoolteacher persona and would have raised an unholy ruckus. I have a school teacher voice that can stop kids in their tracks and publicly embarrass and shame parents. And I have done it. in public.

(bass in voice) WHAT ARE YOU DOING!! (evil teacher stare) What do you think you are doing! Evil teacher stare) What are you doing! (evil teacher stare)

i did this with a tantrum kid in target. it worked. I did this with a shoplifting kid in walmart. it worked. embarrassed the H out of the parents.

Of course I wasn't there, situational of course. It's easy to give advice as an armchair advisor

**thesightofoneself** · 03-24-2009, 07:33 PM

all are a little guilty but at least next time you'll know to get the manager to come

things happen but we learn from it

**brennasmom** · 03-24-2009, 07:38 PM

The mother for not doing anything and for not raising an 11 year old who acts correctly. Sheesh!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 03-24-2009, 07:55 PM

The mom for not being more stern on the kid, the kid for not behaving like a young adult and other people in the same section for not saying anything to the mom about her son.

I think it's a learning process...one of those 'what would you do?' type of things.

**Wendy99** · 03-24-2009, 07:56 PM

no wonder the price of food goes up (well at least one of the reasons) with people like that!

**old_lady_in_the_shoe** · 03-24-2009, 07:57 PM

It was the mothers problem and she should have done something about it. You just got to witness bad parenting...this child is just learning that his mom is NOT going to do ANYthing when he gets into trouble or does something wrong. Parents think this is just "making it easier for them" but in the long run they are gonna have their hands FULL. Very sad, if you ask me.

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-24-2009, 09:28 PM

The mother and the kid is at fault. I don't fault you for not stopping him. You never know when you could get your head blown off.

**mmy2grls** · 03-24-2009, 09:47 PM

My kids do not do anything like that but when they start to have a meltdown it is much easier to get their butts out of the store than to say anything to them in the store.

**Jmarie** · 03-24-2009, 10:00 PM

I would def. fault the mother. I would'nt fault you, these days.. you have to tread lightly when speaking to or reprimanding (sp) other peoples children.

**ArmyOfFive4God** · 03-24-2009, 10:12 PM

The mother. Seriously, he may have LOOKED old enough to know better, but if she's that nonchalant about it, maybe she never told him it was wrong, maybe he's watched her do things just as wrong & immature. Either way it is her job to disciple her children & unfortunately this is becoming so common. Parents too lazy to parent

**MrsChiles** · 03-25-2009, 12:51 AM

Ok well here comes the cop in me (as I sit here taking a break from all my evening's paperwork!). Technically speaking, saying something would not have been "reprimanding other people's children," it would have been reporting a crime. Although to some it may seem like your average poorly behaved child, it was quite plainly Criminal Damage to Property. No different (although a different charge) than if the kid had taken those packages of meat and put them in his coat. Fricken HEATHEN kids and their HEATHEN parents. WHEW! End of rant

**phoeny_moonstar** · 03-25-2009, 01:12 AM

*steps on soap box*

Seriously, what is wrong with the world today? Mothers,fathers, caregivers should pay attention to their charges while anywhere, especially at a store. They are responsible for what these children do. And sometimes they do rather disgusting outright crude things. Who is at fault? The mother for not keeping track of her son, and her son for destroying some one else's property. *end rant*

**Thevail** · 03-25-2009, 01:15 AM

First, wink at your daughter so she knows somethings coming...

Then just as loud as possible..while pointing at the boy and his mom..shout.."Oh My God..look that nasty stupid woman and her germy little kid are ruining all the meat! Oh God..someone call the police...HE COULD HAVE AIDS.!."

I bet he'd NEVER do it again..and SHE wouldn't let him..it's every parent's worst nightmare...

**mzpepper** · 03-25-2009, 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by Thevail

First, wink at your daughter so she knows somethings coming...

Then just as loud as possible..while pointing at the boy and his mom..shout.."Oh My God..look that nasty stupid woman and her germy little kid are ruining all the meat! Oh God..someone call the police...HE COULD HAVE AIDS.!."

I bet he'd NEVER do it again..and SHE wouldn't let him..it's every parent's worst nightmare...

I love this scenario! Wish I had the b***s to do that!