What would you have done?

Sorry not concentrating that was meant to be a pm to Roses. Please Rigby could you be a little less agressive in your posts.
A well done for standing up to that man though OP.

It is your business when the little boy was all by himself. I would want someone like you sticking up for my daughters/nieces/nephews if they were alone.

Good for you for speaking out. Pls tell the school office. He shouldn't get away with speaking like that to you let alone a little boy.

I cannot be bothered now to Comment on the school cap thread now as it has turned nasty.
I very rarely do PM's but in this case felt I had to say what a nasty post Rigby made. She is coming across as a bully, and very personal.
I love reading your posts, they are well written, easy to understand and never insulting. That's what the agressive one's with strong opinions need to learn. I really find Rigbys posts uncomfortable and and vitrolic.

I would mention it to the school a similar thing happened when my son was at school he lost a toy and later found an older boy had it and would not give it back. I mentioned it to his teacher and the toy was returned after she had a word.

We'll done for trying to sort it out amicably. I would mention it to the school office and imagine the boys parents will do the same. Have to hurry though cos schools break up tomorrow!

Imperfect is right. Do mention it at the office.
The child (A)in question will know who the other child (B) is and, even if he doesn't get his hat back, (or if it wasn't his hat) child A's parents will know that school is aware of the problem and is ready to do what they can. There's chance for 2 lessons in school, one in manners and the other in honesty, both of which come under the heading of PSCHE. The school, when they send out the next parental questionnaire should also be prepared for lots of 'disagrees' and nasty comments from the parent whose behaviour is being questioned.On anonymous questionnaires requesting parentfeedback - paper or on line, some parents post the most appalling accusations or make the most ridiculous statements, which, if they are true, the parents should have been into school and had dealt with.
I do have 2 other queries. 1. The boy is referred to as a 'little boy' - where were his parents? 2.Although I agree with the concern about bringing sentimentally precious things into school, should we teach children that what we have or what we wear is determined by what others might do?

I do think you must let the staff know about this. It was on school grounds. So sad as this man's son will grow up like that too. This sort of language quite unnecessary! I worked for 30 years with deprived mentally ill people whose every other word was f or b! But not with me and we developed a great mutual respect. It should not be the accepted norm. Good for you

The dad could have been right that it was his kid's cap. It might have been more commonly available than the other little boy thought. But I guess it wouldn't have hurt to prove it to him.

100% agree Genevieve.

Please, please report this to the school, gillybob. It happened on school premises and you were verbally abused, the school should be informed. As an ex-teacher, I am sure the school will take some sort of action.

I think I would put all my eggs in one basket. Find out the name of the child and his father from DS, march into the school office, tell them what happened and ask/insist that the information be passed on to the little boy's parents.

That way the school knows what happened, the parents will be informed and they can then deal with it (or not as might sadly be the case)

I would ask the headteacher to intervene. This may have been theft on school premises

It does merlot It really does.

My DS made a good point this morning saying "if there were any initials in the cap label, you can bet your bottom dollar the label will have disappeared".

What a sad story Gillybob. The poor little boy that lost his cap, he must have felt very confused and had his faith in adults shaken quite a bit. I feel sorry for this horrible mans son as well, as he is being set a vile example of how to behave.

I would DEFINITELY report this to the school. As has already been said, they might not be able to do anything on this occasion about the cap as an isolated incident - but they can make a note, and keep an eye on the boys and any other problems in future.

I really would like to slap that dad (sorry, not an appropriate thing to say probably!)

If the inside of the cap was marked with the boy's initials then it's definitely a case of stealing. Any decent parent would have checked to make sure there was no mistake and if there was, returned the cap with an apology.

The school needs to be informed as there may have been other similar incidences in the past and it will help them keep an eye out for future ones. The boy who took the cap most likely knew it was the wrong thing to do and now he's getting away with it.

Makes you with frustration doesn't it?

I don't know the parents of the boy Grannyknot but I agree with your comments. The little boy might have got into trouble for losing the cap. Oh dear, this makes me feel so much worse.

I will ask the school if they can forward a message to the boy (who's cap it clearly was) parents. My DGS told me both boys' names.

Hi gillybob, I would 100% tell the parents of the little boy whose cap was lost, what I witnessed. It will be a relief to him to have an adult back up his story. What if he got into trouble at home for "losing" his cap? I'd also compliment the boy, tell his parents what a good and polite child he is.

The parents can then do with that info whatever they wish.

This happened at School? . Inform school, that behaviour is disgusting. Poor boy.

I agree Elegran quite sad really. The school is in the middle of a very large council estate. Most people have very little money to speak of and that cap would have been a precious possession for the little boy who's nana brought it for him from her holiday.
The dad (who obviously knew it was stolen) is basically telling his son (who is probably about 8), that its fine to just take/steal whatever you fancy.

I did call into the office this morning but there was a bit of a queue so decided to leave it until later. I didn't want to turn it into a school gate gossip thing.

Gillybob, please do report it. Teachers can only act on information received. As others have said both children need support.

As well as sympoathy for the owner of the cap, I have concerns for the son of that obnoxious man. He is being trained up in dishonesty and aggression. What will his future be?

Why do you have 'so many critics' I wonder?

Is it possible to post 'informatively' and 'positively' (in your view) without being abrasive I wonder?
Some posters do manage that.

gillybob I think telling school about this will at least relieve you and you will have done something positive.

Eloethan I read it that the boy whose cap it was is lovely and polite not the one who allegedly stole it.

And if someone calls me a little shit, I think it's perfectly in order to tell her to shut up - clearly you don't

On the CG thread I meant.