10 Y.O. Steals and Destroys $200 Worth of Makeup; Older Sibling Asks If It Would Be Wrong to Ask to Pay Her Back Using Birthday Money

"She stole and destroyed nearly $200 in makeup and lied to my face about it. The worst part is I've only been living here for three weeks!"

A 24-year-old woman came home from trade school and thought she’d just have to share the bathroom, not play forensic detective. Her 10-year-old sister was suddenly the center of a full-on makeup disaster, the kind that turns a normal morning routine into a mystery scene.

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It started with missing concealer and foundation, then spiraled when OP’s sister supposedly “didn’t touch it,” even after OP had to miss a date because the makeup was gone. The family replaced about $100 worth, only for OP to find the old products mixed in with the new purchases, leaking, mashed, and coated in slime like a science project gone feral.

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Now OP wants the sister to pay back the beauty bill, but the proposed method is using birthday money, and that’s where the family dinner gets messy.

Back home for trade school at 24, OP shares a bathroom with their 10-year-old sister. Found a mess and talked to parents about boundaries.

Back home for trade school at 24, OP shares a bathroom with their 10-year-old sister. Found a mess and talked to parents about boundaries.Reddit
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OP missed a date due to lost makeup, but the sister claimed innocence. They ended up spending $100 to replace concealer and foundation.

OP missed a date due to lost makeup, but the sister claimed innocence. They ended up spending $100 to replace concealer and foundation.Reddit
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But OP found her old makeup among the new purchases and asked Mom, who denied touching it. There was obvious leakage; Mom suspects the little sister and searches her room.

But OP found her old makeup among the new purchases and asked Mom, who denied touching it. There was obvious leakage; Mom suspects the little sister and searches her room.Reddit

Children often express their emotions through actions rather than words, which can lead to misunderstandings about their intentions.

Research from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicates that children may struggle with impulse control, which can result in actions that seem irrational.

Mom searches the sister's room and discovers missing makeup, Mom's items, slime, paint stains, and stolen belongings.

Mom searches the sister's room and discovers missing makeup, Mom's items, slime, paint stains, and stolen belongings.Reddit

Turns out her sister destroyed our makeup, mixed palettes, paint in brushes, and mashed lipstick, all covered in slime. She denies using any, which is an obvious lie.

Turns out her sister destroyed our makeup, mixed palettes, paint in brushes, and mashed lipstick, all covered in slime. She denies using any, which is an obvious lie.Reddit

Parents grounded her and offered to repay, but OP wants her sister to cover the beauty bill. Considering using birthday money—fair or not?

Parents grounded her and offered to repay, but OP wants her sister to cover the beauty bill. Considering using birthday money—fair or not?Reddit

The whole thing gets worse the moment OP realizes the sister didn’t just “replace” the makeup, she destroyed the original stash too.

This scenario also raises questions about parenting strategies and the importance of addressing behavior rather than just the consequences.

For instance, teaching children about the value of possessions and empathy can foster better decision-making in the future.

Parents suggest chores for the sister to repay, but OP already does more chores and pays rent.

Parents suggest chores for the sister to repay, but OP already does more chores and pays rent.Reddit

An edit from OP:

An edit from OP:Reddit

And here's a TLDR:

Scroll down to see what people had to say!

And here's a TLDR:Reddit

After Mom denies it at first, the search of the little sister’s room turns up stolen items, slime, and paint-stained brushes.

Practical Strategies for Parents

To address the situation constructively, the older sibling might consider having a calm conversation with the younger sibling about their feelings.

Encouraging open dialogue can help the younger child understand the impact of their actions and promote empathy.

It is a lot like asking a moved-back sister to contribute to household expenses after financial support.

Let parental court decide if birthday money covers the cosmetic chaos. Fingers crossed for a glam resolution!

Let parental court decide if birthday money covers the cosmetic chaos. Fingers crossed for a glam resolution!Reddit

At least these parents don't major in excuses. Wallets open faster than alibis—a rare breed!

At least these parents don't major in excuses. Wallets open faster than alibis—a rare breed!Reddit

Parents are handling it smartly—teaching lessons without breaking the bank. Sister's losses and birthday gifts are in the spotlight.

Parents are handling it smartly—teaching lessons without breaking the bank. Sister's losses and birthday gifts are in the spotlight.Reddit

Once the sister is grounded and “repayment” comes up, OP is left arguing with her own parents about whether birthday money counts as fair payback.

Additionally, involving children in problem-solving can empower them to take responsibility for their actions.

Sis on a stealing spree—must've learned a magic trick or two. Time for the parent detectives to unveil the backstage drama!

Sis on a stealing spree—must've learned a magic trick or two. Time for the parent detectives to unveil the backstage drama!Reddit

Mom's on the makeup case, but tapping a 10-year-old as CFO? That's a budgetary wizardry level-up!

Mom's on the makeup case, but tapping a 10-year-old as CFO? That's a budgetary wizardry level-up!Reddit

No need for a birthday budget brawl!

No need for a birthday budget brawl!Reddit

Teaching Values and Responsibility

Creating a family discussion around these values can reinforce positive behavior and accountability.

Parents pulling a birthday-budget payback? That's some next-level discipline!

Parents pulling a birthday-budget payback? That's some next-level discipline!Reddit

Lesson: Play with models, pay with moolah!

Lesson: Play with models, pay with moolah!Reddit

"Parents are responsible for their underage children's actions."

"Parents are responsible for their underage children's actions."Reddit

OP's on a punishment spree, but at this age, it's a parent party, not a sibling showdown. Save the drama for the family saga!

OP's on a punishment spree, but at this age, it's a parent party, not a sibling showdown. Save the drama for the family saga!Reddit

A month in kid-time is like a sentence to Alcatraz! Scheming for her funds? That's a one-way ticket to the sibling naughty list.

A month in kid-time is like a sentence to Alcatraz! Scheming for her funds? That's a one-way ticket to the sibling naughty list.Reddit

She's 10, but theft, destruction, and a lie trilogy? That's a pint-sized heist drama.

She's 10, but theft, destruction, and a lie trilogy? That's a pint-sized heist drama.Reddit

To make it even more awkward, OP already does more chores and pays rent, so this repayment plan feels like it lands on her harder than it should.

In the midst of sibling shenanigans, they've come to realize that sharing isn't always caring, and younger siblings have a knack for turning their world into a whirlwind. But hey, it's all part of the wild and wacky sibling adventure!

Comment down your thoughts or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

In this situation, the underlying issue goes beyond a mere tantrum over stolen makeup.

OP might be willing to move past the makeup, but nobody wants to fund their sister’s slime-covered “oops.”

Wondering if it is wrong to ask for repayment like the sibling loan dispute, read this Reddit debate about asking a struggling sibling to pay back a failing business loan.

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