Home | Home & Family | Parenting

Child Behavior Problems: What Can You Do When Your Child Steals?

By: Dr. Noel Swanson...

The reasons why some children steal are varied. Some of them crave the excitement. Others may want to look cool to their friends, or may actually want the item in question. Still others want some sort of revenge on their parents, or stealing may give them comfort. A staggering 25% of children steal or have stolen during their short lifetimes. Usually once is enough, but those who become repeat offenders keep it up because they get what they are looking for. Whether it's attention, money or just the excitement, stealing does the job of providing it.

The big question of course is, how to make them stop? They need to find other ways to get those needs met and you need to help.

Along with this, your main emphasis needs to be on promoting honesty. Use everyday events, such as stories from television or school, as a starting point for talking about honesty, integrity, and family morals.

At the same time, model it yourself. What do you do when you find a wallet in the street? Or when you are given too much change in a shop? Your children will be watching you, and learning.

Your primary emphasis is on promoting honesty. You can use everyday events, such as stories from television or school, to begin to instill the values of honesty, integrity, and family morals.

In the unfortunate event that you do catch them stealing something, don't overreact. Don't let them lie about it, but also don't reward their attention seeking with a display of temper.

Keep your eyes on your children. Catch them in the act of being good instead of focusing on when they are doing something wrong. Children respond to reward and praise for their little acts of honesty. This helps promote a culture of honesty in the home.

Return the goods to the manager of the shop, school child, or teacher, along with some compensation and an apology.

If taken from a stranger, confiscate the goods (perhaps hand them in at the police station) and impose a fine.

If the goods have already be sold and spent, he may have to sell some of his possessions (perhaps to you) to pay for them and the fine. Make sure what he sells is gone for good.

Ask the victim to tell you what kind of service your child could perform. If you don't know the victim, then a friend, family member or neighbor could be the beneficiary.

If the item is no longer in the child's possession and the money has been spent, ask the child to sell some of their own favorite items (even to you) to pay for them and the fine. Make sure what is sold is gone for good.

Avoid a long grounding sentence. Jail does not reform hardened criminals, and grounding will probably not reform your own little angel.

The final point is to let it go once the event is over. Go back to work at rewarding right behavior and quit concentrating on the wrong. What we all should strive for continually promoting honesty. Your child isn't your enemy, the dishonest behavior is.

--o0o--

Dr. Noel Swanson, Consultant Child Psychiatrist and author of The GOOD CHILD Guide, specializes in children's behavioural difficulties and writes a free newsletter for parents. He can be contacted through his website: www.good-child-guide.com. This article is copyright. You are encouraged, however, to freely copy it provided this signature block is included without modification (other than the addition of your own affiliate link)

Article Source: Main Articles

Fed up with your children's behavioral problems? Get the solutions from Dr. Noel Swanson's Child Behavior Problems website and get a FREE one-hour audio packed with expert advice.

This article may be reproduced wholly or in part without written permission provided the byline, resource area, and any hyperlinks remain in order to give proper credit to the author.

Internet search engines and directory listings are imperative to your sites existence and success. Submit Your Website to the Searchen Networks directory and search engine to achieve authoritive inbound links.

Please Rate this Article

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Parenting Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Home & Family | Parenting

How about planning children’s birthdays with online children’s party supplies. - By : Jhoana Cooper
Kids party supplies such as balloons can add a lot of life to the party ambience. - By : Jhoana Cooper
Beat Your Kids. They'll Thank You For It Later - By : Carma
How To Deal With Toddler Tantrum - By : Audrey Lai
Parent, Teacher, Calm Down! - By : Michael Green
Angry Parents - By : Michael Green
Behavior Of The Shih Tzu Dog - By : Rebecca Simpson
Tips for Social Skills with ADD - By : Bertil Hjert
Watch for the Signs of Child Bullying - By : Bertil Hjert
5 Simple Things You Should Do Every Day to Succeed With Your Business - By : Nataly Kogan

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

	Submit Articles
	Member Login
	Top Authors
	Most Popular Articles
	Submission Guidelines
	Ezine Notifications
	Article RSS Feeds

	New Stuff
	About Us
	Link to Us
	Contact Us
	Privacy Policy
	Terms of Service

:: Top Author Businesses:

Try your luck, Play BlackJack

:: Our Supporters: