If you discovered your child stole something, would you return the item and make the child apologize?

Question

The child is under 10 years old.

Answer 1

Yes, the child needs to understand that it is wrong, and there will be consequences.If the child knows that you know they stole something and you do nothing about it, they will think "hey i got away with it, this is fun, got a new toy"... 'think i'll do it again"
When I was about 6 years old I stole a ring from a store and my mother took me back to the store to return it. Believe me even at that age it was embarassing and I never took anything again. Even kids at that young age can understand right from wrong.

Answer 2

I would either bring the child to return it or make the child pay for the item (and still apologize). They say seven is the age of reason, a child of this age KNOWS right from wrong. So they would know they weren't supposed to take the item, but did anyway. How is letting that go unnoticed helping the child at all? Even if the child is under seven, it's the "parents" responsibility to teach them right from wrong.

Answer 3

I would make the child return the item and apologize. This will let the child know that it is a wrong thing to do and they may be so embarrassed that they won't want to do it again.

Answer 4

Ooooh yes! I would march them right into that store with the item in hand and i would make them ask for the manager to come down and explain what they did. I wouldn't go to an empty room for privacy either.
And as another additonal punishment i would call an officer to the store to give my child a damn good talking too about the consequences of their actions when they become of age - i would tell them too and then punish them when i get home.
I wouldn't let this go lightly put it that way!

Answer 5

You need to have the child return it and apologize and then punish the child maybe including input from the person it was stolen from, maybe have a police officer explain what should have happened to them and or a few hours at your local detention center locked in.
Kids need to be accountable for their actions and know what can happen .

Answer 6

My mom made me go into the store and return it, admit that I stole it and apologize. I was only 7, and now I am 34. If I found out that one of my children stole, I would do the same thing.

Answer 7

Yes. They need to be taught that stealing is wrong. The humiliation from the experience should be enough. Also, better to teach them now and not wait until they are old enough to be charged with a crime. At 10 store owners are generally forgiving, but not at 14 or 15.

Answer 8

I did this w/ my nefew... he stole a necklace for me (it made me feel horrible) But I did make him return it and I think it was one of the best lessons I ever taught him. It happened 3-4 years ago & he still remembers it. He is only 8 now and wouldnt steal another thing.

He did accidently walk out of a store once a couple weeks ago and he felt bad... he made me take him back to pay for it.

Answer 9

yes, and i have. my eldest tried taking a chocolate bar when he was 3-4. i noticed about two blocks away(distracted a bit by hungry baby brother), i told him off and told him how him taking that makes the price go up for other people and that was very bad, the police could arrest him etc, i made him go back to the market and say he was sorry to not only the teller but everyone in the line up.
he was upset and crying but he's never stolen since, he's going on 16 now.

Answer 10

When I was 6 I 'lifted' a porcelin statue of a redbird to give my mom. She found out but didnt yell at me. She did however make me go into the store once a week for eight weeks and apologize to the owner and give her my entire allowance until the bird was paid for. That was 50 years ago and I still haven't forgot it.