What do you do if your child gets caught stealing?

Return Stolen Goods If you catch your child with stolen items, insist that they promptly return the stolen goods and apologize to the victim. You might help your child write an apology letter or accompany your child to the store to return the stolen items.

Why do kids lie about stealing?

They may feel peer pressure and the need to fit in. They may have low self-esteem. They may not have any friends and may be trying to “buy” their friends. They may try to become good at stealing to feel proud of something they have done if they don’t receive positive feedback from their parents.

What do you do when your 6 year old steals?

Simply acknowledge it (“I see you took the Game Boy”), and let him know that you realize how he feels (“It’s okay to want it and wish it were yours, but it’s not okay to take it”), Wallace suggests. Then find a way to repair the situation — go back to the store or his friend’s house to return the stolen item.

Why does my child steal things from school?

A child who is struggling with depression may use stealing as a way to cope. Whether your child has brought home a suspicious item from school that they claim was a gift, or you’ve caught them taking something from a store, the way you address the problem will influence the likelihood that they will steal again.

Is it normal for a child to lie or steal?

Lying, stealing, and cheating are dishonest, inappropriate and deceitful, but they are also normal, at least in a statistical sense. At some time during the growing years, many kids will tell stories that range from fudging to outright fibs, borrow or actually steal others’ possessions or look at a classmate’s test for an answer or copy homework.

How do you discipline a child for stealing from the school?

Use these discipline strategies to put a stop to stealing: Emphasize honesty: Frequent conversations about honesty can go a long way to prevent lying and stealing. Always provide your child with a less serious consequence when he tells the truth and provides plenty of praise whenever you catch him being honest about misdeeds.

What are the consequences of a child stealing?

Stealing can have many legal, social, and emotional consequences for a child, including expulsion from daycare or school, and even criminal charges for teens. If your discipline strategies aren’t working to curb their stealing, it’s important to take things a step further.