If you catch a child stealing it is always a shock.
Not only children from disadvantaged families are engaged in theft. Therefore, such actions always come as a surprise to parents.
What should be done:
For what reasons do children steal?
- children do not have enough attention from their parents and they try to attract it;
- the child has a lot of stress, which is compensated by bad behavior;
- the child really liked someone else's thing and he understands that he does not and will not have one;
- lack of money in the family;
- revenge;
- imitation of friends;
- desire to make a gift;
- misunderstanding that it is impossible to take someone else's.
What not to do if you find out that your child is stealing:
- lecture in front of strangers;
- to hang a thief's label;
- give an example of their behavior at this age or the behavior of his peers;
- remind of past mistakes;
- punish physically.
- discuss what happened: find out the child's position, why he took the thing and whether he understands that he acted badly;
- support the child: encouraging theft, of course, is not worth it, but you need to make it clear that this was a mistake that does not determine the future fate and does not make him a bad person forever;
- explain that you cannot touch someone else's without permission;
- tell you how to get the desired thing correctly, help earn money for buying it;
- give the child a little more attention and care, often make small gifts, listen to his interests and opinions;
- for teenagers: show a documentary about life in correctional colonies and pre-trial detention centers, about all the dangers that await him there - the child will be afraid of such a fate.
You will also be interested to know:
- how to wean a child from swearing
- how to raise a child who will not lie to you
- 5 Easy Ways to Raise a Positive Thinking Child
