Oct 3 2008
Checking for feathers
Nathan's developing a very unpleasant habit of taking things that aren't his. This past school year I'd clean out his backpack and find school supplies, fast food toys, or other trinkets I knew weren't his. I'd ask him to return the items to their rightful owners, but somehow they never made it out of his backpack or I'd find them later hidden in his desk.
When the items looked valuable, like a bracelet he found on the playground, I'd insist that he turn it in to the lost and found at school. Still he'd conveniently forget to turn it in, and I'd end up doing it myself.
During the last week of school at Field Day, he found a wallet. First he tried to pass it off as a gift. Then he finally admitted he found it. Again, I'd bring up the lost and found. I was beginning to sound like a broken record.
We left the playground, and I accompanied Nathan to the lost and found in the lobby. Distracted by Lucie, I lost track of where he went. I finally found Nathan coming out of the bathroom.
"So, Nathan, you put the wallet in the lost in found?" I asked.
"Yes, I did," he answered.
"Well, can you show me where you put it? I didn't see it when I looked," I told him.
"Oh, oops, I forgot. It's in my pocket!" Nathan said.
I grabbed the wallet from him and shoved it in the lost and found box. Shaking my head, I told him how disappointed I was with him and that I'd tell his dad. While I know this behavior is typical of many kids his age, I'm not thrilled that he's turning into a magpie either.
