Replies to '07/19 Identity Theft'

I read your post with interest.  The worst people to loan money to are family.  It should always be viewed as a gift because most of the time you won't see any repayment.  If my child did something like yours, she would be required to work and repay the money.  Hurts, yes.  But if you don't teach them fiscal responsibility now, they won't be financially responsible adults.  I would be very angry if my child did this.  There things you can do to prevent this.  Ask the phone company to disallow long distance calls.  Don't let her have a cell phone or make it one of those pay as you go plans.  When she runs out of minutes, that is it until next billing cycle.  No one ever said our kids were entitled to all the privileges they have today.  They will survive without a cell phone and text messaging for hours.  But as parents we have to be willing to take that uncomfortable path and be strong.

I would do one of two things if s/he were my child:

 

1) Mandatory couseling and a signed plan to pay back the money in a certain period of time

or

2) Notification of law enforcement.

 

I would NOT be an enabler. If you are one, you are teaching your child that what s/he did was acceptable. You are also setting him/her up for failure because s/he will do it again (that's what always happens when there's no punishment or motivation to reform). You have a duty to educate your child appropriately and make him/her be accountable.

 

Good luck to you. Prayer is a beautiful thing, but it's not enough here. God bless!