She would bring home a cute eraser /pencil fm school and says its hers.She takes clips and sweets from marts.Both my husband and I are professionals and we buy them(my daughter 6/my son 4) lots of cute stuff. They always get what they ask for..toys/sweets/games. She's kleptomaniac.
I'm really worried.We have spoken to her and explained the consequenses,but then comes the denial.What can we do to stop this now!!
2007-10-18 00:36:37 · 9 answers · asked by jodie 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Most likely she just has the idea that if she wants it, she should have it. I wouldn't classify her as a klepto just yet. She needs to realize that everything in life is not free. This could be accomplished very quickly and easily. The next time she takes something from a store, whenever you realize she has done it, take her back into the store and make her explain to the manager why she took it and apologize. Tell her that people go to jail for shoplifting. Tell her it's wrong to take something without paying for it. Once the manager talks to her, it should have some effect on her. Sometimes kids listen to others better than they do their parents. Tell the manager that you'd like to pay for the item. Pay for it, and when you get home, make your daughter do chores to repay you for the cost of the item. Tell her that's what people do, they work for what they want. Don't let her get away with not doing the chores either...make sure she does it. And I'm not sure if I would give her the item afterwards or not. On the one hand, you're giving her what she wanted in the first place. On the other hand, she is technically working for it. That's up to you, but I would definitely make her apologize and then work the cost off. She's six, she knows better, she's just doing it because she wants to and so far, she can.
2007-10-18 00:51:38 · answer #1 · answered by garciajennifer@att.net 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You may not like what I say, but stop buying them everything they want. You have taught her that what she wants she gets and at six years old she does not understand paying for it. So if she wants she takes. We as parents then can not understand why the steal. She is now at an age when she could start to earn her things teach her how much something cost and how she will be able to earn that much money. Yes you need to also teach her that she can not just take what she wants and that there repercussions for that. She is old enough to be grounded or otherwise punished. The law varies from state to state but in some a child at a young age of say seven can be prosecuted for theft. So teach her now before the law does.
2007-10-18 00:51:04 · answer #2 · answered by Mary B 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some children steal deliberately knowing it is wrong, but somehow just cannot resist the impulse. It appears as if they derive satisfaction out of it. This type of stealing usually comes at the age of 6+ when the child understands that stealing is something that is forbidden. Before that, children may sometimes take some things from other homes or from the shop just because they like it, without being aware that it is tantamount to stealing and hence something bad.
You need to remind her that it is not hers, and that she should go and give it to the owner. If she deliberately steals, she should be made to confess that she has done it, made to realize that it is something wrong, which you don't want her to repeat. You should also insist on restitution of the thing to its rightful owner by your daughter herself. Don't humiliate or beat her, rather make it crystal clear to her firmly that it won't be permitted.
2007-10-19 16:56:55 · answer #3 · answered by Stranger on the Bus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make her return the items and tell the store owner she is sorry. Take any money needed to pay for such items out of her piggy bank. And dont let her have the items either. In my house stealing is a spanking offense - everytime!
2007-10-18 01:48:49 · answer #4 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For starters you must make her take the items back and admit she took them. To let her keep the items, is telling her that you approve of what she did. stop buying her everything she wants, that is not good for a child. If she wants something, make her earn it, it is never to early to teach a child that in life nothing is handed to you, you must work for it. If you are both professionals maybe she feels that she is not getting enough of your attention, this is a way to get undivided attention when she does something wrong.
2007-10-18 01:58:19 · answer #5 · answered by LIPPIE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How is she managing to take things at the shops? Are you not watching her? MAybe because she has been given all she has ever asked for, she has no concept of the value og things....give her a weeky allowance and when it's gone dont buy her anyhting else.
2007-10-18 00:47:39 · answer #6 · answered by Daisyhill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One big step for her benefit, whether it helps with her stealing, is to STOP buying them everything they want. You are communicating that all they have to do is WANT and they can get it. Is it any real wonder that she just takes anything that catches her fancy.
Make her take back whatever it is she has stolen and apologize to the rightful owner.
2007-10-18 00:52:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When she takes things from a store, take her back with the item, have her return item to manager and apologize. We have the best police officers in my town, perhaps you could have one of them explain to her the consequences of such behavior. Hope this helps. Best wishes!
2007-10-18 00:48:33 · answer #8 · answered by Brigid 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
for every item she steals, take one of her items.
2007-10-18 00:40:37 · answer #9 · answered by Atalaya 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋