Eeeeek!! Teenagers!

[kallima]

So, I don't know how many of you recall me posting about back to school shopping for my last set of nieces and nephew but what was supposed to be a weekend event ended up lasting well over a week!! Unfortunately, some things transpired of which I am not proud and again am asking for the help/advice of others.

I took my two oldest nieces (ages 13 and 15) to Target because they needed a new alarm clock. Well once we got there, we split up - 15yo went to electronics, 13yo went to book section, and I went off scanning for Shopkick.

We agreed to meet up in 15minutes at a specific lane and once all of us arrived, the 13yo asked if she could get both a book and some Chapstick (eos? It was like $15 and came in a package of 4) I had explained to her that she would have to choose so she chose the book and said she would put the Chapstick back. So she comes back and her older sister whispered to me that lil sis was trying to steal something. Long story short, lil sis in fact was attempting to shoplift and I made her put the item back.

The problem is, what punishment is appropriate? She did it so nonchalantly that I suspect this is something she's done often. I basically told her that I was extremely disappointed in her and don't know if I can trust her to accompany me anywhere anymore. After further investigation, her sisters and brother both said she's done it before but haven't told their mother. I eventually did tell their mother but will be watching them for a week while she is out of town and don't know if I should address this topic with her again. And frankly, she wasn't honest with her mother or I, as to the reasons why or the regularity with which she steals which is why I still feel so apprehensive.