We've spanked, We've grounded, We talked to her and explained what will happen if she is caught by someone other then family. We've made her take it back. People have prayed for her.How do you get her attention so she realizes how wrong stealing is?
2006-12-19 05:44:12 · 12 answers · asked by pennij 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
There is a series of children based story books that are geared toward important topics such as talking back, lying and even stealing, go to your bookstore and ask about books to help her understand and when you read the book to her read it with "feeling" like if the person who was stolen from in the book use a sad voice and if the person is angry use an angry voice. It will be more on her level and maybe this will help her learn better! Good Luck!
2006-12-19 06:17:59 · answer #1 · answered by SDP 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are feeding the fire by giving this way too much attention and power. A child who steals usually tries to “put something over.” If she is arranging the situation so that you discover her transgression, her purpose is to gain attention. If she tries to deny stealing, then she is trying to show her power. She may feel that she has the right to get whatever she wants, regardless of her method. Or she may feel tremendous delight in getting be with something and not getting caught. The acts of stealing are symptoms of deeper underlying rebellion. Yes. The stolen article must be returned. But you must “downgrade” the seriousness-be casual and remain very little impressed. The may be hard because parents feel that they have an obligation to “teach” the child not to do such things. But scorn, criticism, and punishment do not teach children not to steal; they instead provide them with further ammunition and increased desire to do wrong for the sake of power and defeating parents. She does not need any instruction. She knows very well that stealing is wrong. Unconsciously, she prefers to do wrong because it yields results.
Help her to feel powerful and show positive attention by saying things like “You did that by yourself!” “You can run super fast!” “Look how high you can climb!” “You used so many colors on your painting!” “Your teacher must be really proud of you!” “You have mad so many nice friends!” These types of phrases are great confidence builders, great ways to show attention, and great ways to help her feel powerful.
At bedtime or down time at home, have some casual talks. Ask her “What did you like about today?” After her answers tell her what you liked. Then ask her “What did you not like about today?” You will begin to discover what she resents. You can use this information as a basis for action, never for words. Do not try and explain away what she disliked because this would be criticism.
Do not expect her to stop overnight. It will take some time and you will need to encourage her positive activities. Be willing to let a few things go along imperfectly and you will find that this habit will become less important to her and for you. Hope this helps!
2006-12-19 14:34:01 · answer #2 · answered by marnonyahoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The next time she is caught stealing, you should tell the people at the store to call police or the security guard and have them talk to her. This mjust might scare her enough that she wont do it any more. Good Luck. I know that sounds harsh, but if she does it when she is a little older, they will be called and she could get taken to juvenile hall. Maybe have them explain that to her, that she could be taken away from Mommy and Daddy for a long time. She might respond to that too. Again good luck to you and God Bless.
2006-12-19 13:53:50 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what worked for me when I was about that age was my mom caught me stealing, and let me walk through the detectors and let the sirens go off. she took me over to some really old lady and told me give the lady the thing that i stole, and the lady explained to me how i cannot steal things and i had to buy them.
then my mom took me home and said that i could earn money to buy things and we could go back to the store and buy (whatever it was) that I tried to steal
this only really worked because my mom set it up beforehand with the people at the store, and she made sure not to buy anything (so I wouldn't blame her or anything)
this may work better at a smaller store where you know the people working. ifthey are parents, they will understand and help out. =)
good luck!
2006-12-20 06:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by meagan.hallock 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she is doing it for attention most 6 yr olds don't leave the house with the entent to take something that doesn't belong to them. Do not spank her that just teaches her its okay to hit people when they do something you didn't like. Take something special from her. Praying wont help either she doesn't grasp the concept of stealing. Find out why she'd doing it, it could after all be just for attention if she feels she isn't getting enough at home this is her way of getting it even if its negative attention
2006-12-19 14:20:02 · answer #5 · answered by texas_angel_wattitude 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The only thing that has worked in disciplining my daughter for any variety of naughty things is to explain to her how her actions effect other people. I run a business from home and she was constantly taking things that I needed. It wasn't until I explained to her that my customers were going to be upset as they would not be able to have the things that they wanted or needed that she finally stopped. I would try something like that, try to avoid saying only that it is wrong and show her or explain to her how she is negatively effecting others.
2006-12-19 13:51:25 · answer #6 · answered by Jacy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fight Fire with fire! You need to seriously think about what is important to this child and use it to your advantage. She is only 6, so it can't be that hard to figure out. Other than that, I would start her in some type of "play therapy"...it's not your traditional "therapy" where she lays on a couch / sits in a chair and is demanded to talk about her inermost feelings....it's really useful and your local Health and Human services should help you get into contact with such an agency to get you started!
2006-12-19 13:51:53 · answer #7 · answered by Mom to Foster Children 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
kleptomania is a disorder she needs counseling
other than the spanking it sounds like you have done loving parenting some times though there are underlying problems a counselor can help you with Lots of love n blessings to you
2006-12-19 13:55:51 · answer #8 · answered by dancfan 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Let her get caught by someone else. She isn't going to jail, but she apparently has a serious problem that hasn't been addressed yet.
2006-12-19 13:52:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steal from her.
Seriously, she has no concept of how it hurts others to steal from them. Teach her by stealing from her.
2006-12-19 13:48:22 · answer #10 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋