It appears that the recent shoplifting incident at Dollar General by two Gering, Nebraska brothers, ages 12 and 15, has drawn the attention of John Rosemond, family psychologist. (Article in the Omaha World Herald on December 16, 2008) The story got his attention, not for what the boys did, but for how their parents handled the situation. Both boys were required to stand outside of Dollar General with large poster-size signs that stated they were caught shoplifting at the store and that they would never shoplift again. The signs also added that both stealing and lying are wrong.
According to Rosemond, many in his field would toss out babble about the boys acting out because of emotional deprivation in the home. Rosemond indicated that this father is more concerned about his sons learning life lessons. He wants his sons to learn the consequences for their actions and that lying and stealing are not acceptable.
Additionally, the parents in this situation also required the boys to write apology letters to the store and grounded the boys from their electronic games for a month. And, the older brother had not yet appeared in juvenile court when he fulfilled the punishment handed out by his parents, but he did add "We will not do this again. We got in big trouble."
Troy Trumm, Trumm Team - Omaha, NE
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