Thanks all for your input. Her father and I spoke further with her last night (I asked her what she thought her punishment should be) and decided that her punishment is grounding for 2 weeks. What that means is she comes home from school and does her homework, helps get dinner ready and on the table, and then to her room after dinner. No TV, no playing outside, no computer, no nothing. She will not be allowed to attend Jonny's birthday party this Saturday night. She can read in her room, etc. We decided to leave her birthday party alone for a couple of reasons. #1 - she had decided on her own to return the bullet to her friend. #2 - when she found out he was in trouble with the Vice Principal, she went (of her own volition) to talk to the VP and explain that it was her fault, not Jonny's. We couldn't reschedule her party because there was not another day that would work in my husband's schedule. His job entails working weekends, and the only reason he is off next Saturday is because it is "shutdown" at his club. So that is today's update on the "drama train."
Bev, I am so sorry this has happened. Does she understand what she has done and why it was wrong? I know she didn't mean to have anything happen.
As for punishment, I would take the tv away as well as no friends for a week or two. Just make sure you keep in mind her age. I honestly don't think she realized what she was doing as being wrong. As for the party, if it had already been planned and people are relying on you for a carpool so to speak, then I say go ahead and do it. I feel so bad for her and for you. I am sending some prayers your way that the other parents will be understanding about this.
My question is, how did she manage to get a "live" bullet at their house? Do they not keep them under lock and key?
I grew up with guns in the house that weren't locked up, but we also knew to NEVER touch them without an adult. When we went to camp, we were always taught how to shoot the 22 with dad or our friend's dad right beside us. Just seems weird that she was able to gain access to the ammunition.
Just my 2 cents
Kathy - Yes, she realizes what she did was wrong, on both levels. She realizes that she shouldn't have stolen from her friend, and thus she was trying to return it on the bus. She also knows she shouldn't have taken it to school. After she got to school on Tuesday, she realized it was in her jacket pocket, so she took it out to her locker and put it in her bookbag so she could return it to Jonny after school. Unfortunately, it fell out of Jonny's bookbag and the bus driver found it on the floor of the bus when she cleaned up that night.
As for how she got it, Bob spoke with Jonny's dad last night. It seems that Jonny's dad found it on the ground at Gander Mountain and picked it up. Jonny must have found it and had it setting on his dresser. His dad is a hunter and very into gun safety. They don't even have a gun that fits this bullet.
So far the other parents seem very understanding. They feel bad that the bullet was even there.
Beverly,
Welcome to the world of teens and pre-teens. I really had very few issues with my older 3 kids but did have some challenges like this with my youngest daughter. Making bad, stupid choices happened several times.
Grounding for 2 wks sounds fair. No t.v. during that time is something I'm all for. I'm of the "no tv ever because it has no redeeming qualities and encourages you to focus on wants instead of needs" type of person. I really feel that quite a few situations are instigated by seeing someone on a tv program do some irresponsible thing and making it a familiar behavior for you to do. Oh well, that's just me.
If it were me, I would postpone the party until after she's off restriction. Not as a punishment per say, but just as not being appropriate for someone that is on restriction. It kind of takes the consequence of the grounding away. She would have it to look forward to as a reward for completing her "banishment" from society.
Like Lisa, I would also be concerned about the friend's parents failure to keep these live bullets away from their children and friends. Haven't they learned anything from all the high school shootings? What was their son doing taking them out to show them to your daughter? That was very irresponsible on his part, too. Yes, she shouldn't have taken it, but she also should not have had that opportunity. They need to own their part in this, too.
Good Luck, Beverly. Hopefully you won't have too many of these occurrences as your kids go through their teens. That is something I will pray for for you!
Carol - this is the first time I have ever had an issue with either child, and I believe that she has learned. I explained to her last night that Karma had bit her in the butt. If she had never stolen the bullet, none of this would have ever happened.
Obviously, we have similar ideas about punishment. As you can see from my "blurb" above, she did get 2 weeks grounding with no TV. However, due to scheduling issues, her b-day party is being held during her grounding. Last night she realized she would be grounded on her b-day. Oh well, you live with the choices you make. This morning she was sitting there looking sad and told me she regretted the choice she made. I think she was hoping her dad and I would relent on the TV, but that is non-negotiable. She left with her dad at 6:30 a.m. She will sit in his office and write her apology letters to Jonny and his parents, and then her dad will take her to pick up her homework. It is then off to grandma's. I told mom she could use Amelia any way she wanted for household chores, but if the TV was on, Amelia needed to be in another room.
I'm getting so anxious to be able to exercise. It's driving me nuts to sit around with my legs elevated. I'm slowly getting better. I have to show houses tomorrow and I sure wish I could wear my boots - it's really, really wet around here.
Lisa - Glad to know your knee is feeling better. Wear those cute new flats and try to stay dry. We are expecting more rain this afternoon, and had fog like pea soup again this a.m. Luckily the temp is above freezing, so we don't have a coating of ice anymore.
Ah Bev, so sorry you are going through this...my 2 cents, for what its worth, is definitely take the TV and friend visits away for the two weeks...be sure she understands why you are so upset, figure out where she got the bullet from...did the boy show it to her, was it locked up, etc etc...and Im not understanding if the party is HER party or a friends party...if it is for her, DEFINITELY reschedule...no way I would reward her with a party during the two week punishment. If it is another friend's party and you have committed to drive...Myself, I would go and do the driving but my daughter would not be attending!
Sorry folks, but Im a real hard - a#* when it comes to stuff like this...guns, ammo etc are NOTHING to fool around with! Send the right message RIGHT NOW so there is no misunderstanding later!
I agree about being a harda**. I am the meanest mom in the world!
Im still not deflating my belly much, but it has a little bit. I was most excited to finally meaure my hips and see a little over an inch lost though! I have been diligent about my green tea, so maybe that is helping some.
Non-scale victories rock!
I just wrote a book and lost it!!!
Well, hello everyone. Don't have time to do it again and I can't for the life of me figure out why this site asks me to log in every time I come back!
Have a nice evening!!
Cin
You don't need to write us a book. Just stick around and let us know how you are doing.
Jocelyn, are you getting any of these storms/rain? I think I remember you saying something about rain or storms. Are you ok? Haven't heard from you!!
Not much going on here. We are to get a wintery mix again tonight and tomorrow. I only saw the tail end of the weather, but they are saying, rain/snow/sleet. Robin, are you to get any of this? I think it is coming up from the south. If so, be careful!!!
Say a little prayer guys. Mike put an application in for the Local Heavy Equipments Operators. If he can get this job, he would have great benefits, pay, etc. He would have to travel, but we have managed that before. This would definitely (thanks Lisa, spelt right LOL) be an answer to our prayers.
Ok, going to get my day started. I'll try to check in later. Have to work tonight again so I won't have to do it this weekend. Have a great day everyone!!
Kathy - prayers for Mike and the job opportunity. Be careful in this weather. We are getting rain again but luckily no more wintery mix (at least not this week). My son seemed to think spring would be coming soon. I just laughed.
Well, I am working again today so I'll check back in later. I just wanted to thank all of you for your input.
I have power today, but the wind is setting my nerves on edge. Its awful today.
). 
If I missed anyone, please forgive me 
What are they supposed to be good for? I swear by the time I eat and drink everything that is supposed to be good for me and that will trim my belly fat, there isn't any room to eat anything else.
