A child steals: what to do

According to statistics, theft in childhood is a common problem. Sometimes children, who at first glance do not need anything, begin to steal. But parents who notice such behavior in their child simply do not know what to do about it and panic. Some throw hysterics, others - scolding a child, and still others generally try to pretend as if nothing happened. How to properly respond to child theft? Let's talk about this in more detail.

Why does a child steal?

Among the most common reasons for child theft are the following:

1. Impulsivity in children. There are situations when a child thinks that stealing is very easy, but he has not yet learned to resist his desires. For example, if there is a beautiful cake on the store shelf, and the child does not yet understand that you need to pay for them, only fear can stop him punishments. If the baby knows how to take it unnoticed, most likely he will do so. Such situations happen even with those children who understand that they cannot take someone else’s property. But it is very difficult for small children to restrain their desires.
2. Poor relationship with parents. Lack of attention from parents can also cause a child to start stealing. He believes that by taking some thing or money, he can attract attention and reunite with loved ones.
3. Self-affirmation. Some children, through theft, try to assert themselves, showing others their agility, cunning and courage.

A child steals money: what to do

According to psychologists, until the age of 5, most children cannot control their desires, so they take what they want, sometimes without asking. It doesn't matter if it's money or a small plastic toy.

How to react in a situation where a child steals money?

• It is necessary to explain the concept of “personal property” using an example.
• Some children steal money just to give to their family gift. You shouldn’t yell at your child, just explain that you don’t have to steal, you can do something with your own hands, for example. This will not require money, but parents will still be pleased. The value is not in money, but in attention.
• If a child does not have pocket money, this can also become the reason for such a bad habit. This nuance also needs to be given special attention, since in older age pressure from friends also plays a role, who allow themselves to buy various little things, and accordingly, everyone looks up to them.
• Lack of attention. The problem of theft in the family is especially pressing. We need to talk calmly, as they say, “heart to heart.”
• It is important to understand whether the child has a feeling of guilt. The parents' decision must be firm, since it is still advisable to return all stolen money to the owners.

A child steals: advice from psychologists

Unfortunately, stopping a child from stealing is not so easy. Parents must go through this long journey with their child. What is needed for this?

• React calmly. You can't give in to emotions. You need to talk to the child in a calm environment and find out the reasons for the theft. It is strictly forbidden to insult the child, call him a thief, etc. Quite often, this behavior is observed in children who have suffered stress. This could be moving to another city, changing educational institutions, etc.
• Explain why you shouldn't steal. It is not necessary to read lectures; it is enough to emphasize that, for example, in a family no one steals from anyone, because they trust each other, and accordingly, one should behave in a similar way in society. We can talk about the consequences of theft.
• Parents should talk about their feelings. But you should not talk about anger, but pay attention to the fact that parents get very upset when something goes missing. It is recommended to compare your feelings with, for example, how a child feels when a favorite toy goes missing.
• Insist on correcting the situation. But this must be done carefully. If a child stole something from a store, it is better to talk to the owner in advance, explain the situation, pay for the item, and only then bring the child to ask for an apology. After all, some people can behave inappropriately and greatly frighten the baby. At the same time, parents must show care, a willingness to always help and be there in difficult times.

To avoid such problems, it is necessary to pay a lot of attention to children, because it is precisely from its lack that they take rash actions.