I am not talking about those fingers covered with lollipop drool in spring, ice cream in summer, maple syrup in autumn or running nose boogas in winter, I am referring to (gasp!) shoplifting.

Last week, I volunteered at my daughters’ school for book fair event, the task was simply helping students made decisions on what books and stationary to buy if they don’t have enough money, and of course keeping an eye on their safety while they wandering around the isles of bookshelves with excitement, as the event was held inside the gym with a small performance stage.  Most kids were happy with what they got even though it was less than they wanted, isn’t it always the case?

Then there was this little girl in Grade 2, let’s call her “Lisa”.  Lisa was trolling around for a long time and touching everything, we’ve exchanged few glances and she quickly looked away every time she met my eyes.  Finally I wasn’t too busy, so I asked if she needed any help, she shook her head then stood in front of a box filled with sharpners, pencils and erasers.  She positioned herself in a way that I could only see her back but not the box.  I was amazed to noticed then, she quickly picked up a sharpner, unwraped the plastic package and slid into her left pocket.

When Lisa turned around and looked at me, I was too shock to say anything but only stared at her and thought to myself “for whatever reasons, she deserves a second chance”, so I let her go.  Lisa walked another loop before came back to the exact same spot, with the exact same position.  This time, she took 2 erasers that are small enough to hide in her palm, walked up to the stage to pretending browsing at other books.  My heart sank.  I quickly called in the School Administrator (without causing a scene, of course) and told her what happened because I believe, it is best leave it up to school to deal with this situation, for the disciplines they have established.

We probably all had done it once (if not more often) when we were little, that impulsive kicked in, just did it then came the heart pounding, hand sweating, all worried what if we got caught.  Later on I found out from the School Administrator, this is not Lisa’s first time, she’s got record in the past.  I also learned from my younger daughter’s Grade 1 teacher, quite often in kindergarten and Grade 1, kids tend to take things without paying, or not realizing they have to pay for it, simply because they like it or want it.  That’s unintentional and I think it provides an excellent opportunity to teach our kids the core value, the right and wrong;  but Lisa knew I had my eyes on her, yet she still decided to take the second shot, that is what worries me.

I can’t be more happier on the same afternoon, my girls were besides me asking “Are you going to pay?” and literally watching me drop the money into the cash box.  I hope I did the right thing, parents out there, how could I handle it better?