ive done it again

ziptia

well my 23yr old son and his girlfriend have been staying with me as they were homeless. After everything my son has done to me over the last 2 years I must be off my head as he has stolen off me many times. but this time he has hurt me so much he and his girlfriend have stolen my 8 year olds xmas presents and sold them. I am devastated as I am unable to replace them I am dreading Christmas morning. I have had them both arrested but police said if they do recover any of the gifts that I will not have them back in time as they will need to keep them as evidence. I gave them a roof over their heads even though my son has put me through hell the last few years and this is my thanks. is it wrong of me from now on to have nothing at all to do with him for the rest of my life. I feel so bad that I let them both stay here as they have now ruined Christmas for my 8 year old. drugs addiction has a lot to answer for it ruins family rips them apart. All my son and his girlfriend cares about is their next fix and have hurt an innocent child in the process. I will never forgive them for as long as I live.

building_with_lego

I don't really have any advice but didn't want to read and run. Would you be able to ask on freecycle or freegle for a gift to give your 8 year old at Christmas, if you can't afford to buy more?

Well done for getting them arrested. This may be the low which kicks your son back to health and a drug- free life. Stay strong.

mummyroysof3

So sorry to hear this has happened. Hopefully you can get him a ew bits even if money is tight. Do you use Facebook as there are usually local selling groups on there or try free cycle and charity shops

FBaby

OMG, I am so so sorry What a horrible situation, trying to help one child at the detriment of the other. Does your youngest child know? Is there anyway family could help? If there is one situation when a loan would be more than justified. I hope you can still enjoy Christmas day.

jog

Ziptia,

In our area the local Salvation Army runs a toy appeal every year for presents for local children whose families wouldn't be able to afford much or any. The families are nominated by their local children's centres, GP's, social services, health visitors and school nurses it would be worth either contacting the Salvation Army direct or your school nurse to ask if a similar scheme is running in your area, we can normally nominate people until a couple of days before Christmas, you collect the presents so you children don't know where they've come from unless you chose to tell them.

Good Luck, and I hope you and your little one manage to have a good Christmas.

harrys_nan

oh dear, I am so sorry for you, That must hurt beyond comprehension.
I'm glad you had them arrested and nobody can blame you, although that must hurt you but your youngest child is the most important person now.
please take the advice that jog has given you and contact the sally army.
(((hugs)))

paulineb_2

I'm really sorry that this has happened. But as you say, it's not the first time. I hope that even if you decide to see your son that you don't have him in the house again, because it's not just the stealing, it's the drug use as well, certainly not healthy for your child to be around.

No idea what to suggest re the presents I'm afraid except to say that some of the shops such as home bargains, poundland, pound world do kids toys cheaply.

DigForVictory

Oh my dear soul, that must hurt.

You have done the right thing with the police - that is the best present you could give your son.

As for your 8 year old, if you can get out of earshot, please phone the Salvation Army & ask for a little help. It won't be an Xbox, but it will come with so much love.

If they can't help soon enough or locally enough, there are still presents money can't buy, like time together just the two of you, a joint walk, or building with Lego or "bowling" empty plastic bottles with newspaper & sellotape balls. (Narrow hallways make this a lot easier!)

Only you know what you can do to make this next week the celebration it is held up as being, but all the very best with the days and weeks and months and years to come.

Lieja

I'm so sorry to read this, I can't imagine what you're going through.

As someone else said, you can get some great things for kids in charity shops. How about a few small bits for Xmas day if you can, and then a card or homemade voucher for a 'Secret Christmas Day' just for your 8yo - you can pick a date after Xmas when you know you'll have been able to replace a few more gifts or will have got the stolen presents back, and you can take them out for the day somewhere special and treat them all day just the two of you. Gives them another special day and gifts to look forward to after all the excitement of Xmas day has subsided!

elaine373

So sorry to hear this. Sometimes things happen and you can at least know that you did all you could for your son. I wouldn't have him in the house again, but that doesn't mean that you never see him. As far as replacing your younger ones Xmas presents,there are several options. Charity shops, free cycle,credit catalogues,salvation army or other charities. I hope you manage to get some replacements for your son.

LannieDuck

There are some very kind people on this thread. Hope the OP can get in touch and their child will have presents this xmas.

I wouldn't blame you at all if you decided to cut your son off for a while. Well done for reporting it to the police - that must have been difficult, but needed to be done. I can't imagine how he decided to sell his brother's xmas presents. I would have thought he'd try selling some of your things first.