Don't Take Me to Jail!

 A little "StuffMyGirlSays" story from when she was eight:

We were buying cat litter in Petco yesterday and on the way out the door my girl swiped about 30 twist ties that were in little dishes by the dog treat bar. Clearly they are there for customers to tie their dog biscuit bags with. My girl saw them and thought they were "the perfect thing" for a craft project she was working on.

I do not notice that she has them until we get back to the car. When I see them I tell her that they are the stores property and not free craft materials for her to take. I said it doesn't seem like much but if every kid swiped a pile of them like she did there wouldn't be any for the dog food customers and/or the store would have to raise their prices to cover all the theft.

Jess immediately starts to cry and says she didn't realize she was stealing. I told her that I know that and I wasn't trying to make her so upset but we did need to bring the twist ties back.

She then cries, "No, I can't do that! Please don't make me."

I'm dumbfounded. Why such a over the top reaction? I say, "I'm sorry but there isn't another option. I'll go in with you, we'll put them back, no big deal."

Again she says, "No mommy. PLEASE don't make me."

Why not Jess? Please tell me why you are so upset?

#StuffMyGirlSays, "I don't want them to see me. I don't want them to take me to jail. I don't want to be a juvenile delinquent!"

The poor thing could only see black and white here. She "stole" something so she would have to go to jail AND a "juvenile delinquent" is something very bad to be!

I finally got her to see that it was a mistake and they wouldn't take her to jail so we went in and returned the twist ties without incident. Part of me was really happy she was taking it so seriously and the other part is afraid I've scared her unduly and she is overly afraid of the police and other authorities. I really didn't expect her big reaction. Clearly I'm raising a sensitive girl!

On the way home she says, "I'm really glad I didn't have to go to jail."

Me too Jess. Me too!