Children steal or at least try to steal at some point in their lives. A child may have everything he wishes for and yet steal. Why is this so? The reason is that a child knows that stealing is forbidden therefore he wants to test his limits. He wants to know whether he will be caught or what the consequences may be. It is just the daredevil in him making him attempt something risky.

How parents deal with their children when they are caught stealing, determines whether or not a kid will repeat the action.

Small children do not really know that they are stealing when they take something without paying for it. The concept of buying and selling is beyond them. If they see something they like in the supermarket, they just take it. Parents ought to teach their children the concept of buying. They should know that things cost a certain amount of money and it is not possible to take things without paying the amount due. Similarly, they should also warn children never to take anything without asking their parents first. If your child takes something that belongs to someone else, tell your child to rerun it to the rightful owner and make him apologize. Then, explain to him that he has no right to take someone’s belongings without asking them first and getting their consent. Let your child know that if he wishes for something, you will try and get it for him. There is no need to steal the object from someone else.

Older children have a clear idea about stealing. They know that it is wrong to steal and that they will be punished for it. However, they have an innate desire to try something that is forbidden for the very reason that it is forbidden. This is not always the case though. Some children resort to stealing as a means of getting attention. They may be struggling with loneliness or stress or some other emotional issue and their attempts at stealing are actually a cry for help. Such children should be seen by a counsellor or therapist.

Teenagers also steal in spite of having a clear idea about the consequences. They may steal because their friends steal or because they want something that they cannot afford. If you catch your teenage kid stealing, let him know how you feel. Take him back to the store or person from whom he has stolen and make him return the item. It may be embarrassing for your child but you can be sure he won’t repeat it again. If you haven’t noticed that your child has been stealing, someday you might open to door to find a policeman at your doorstep. If legal authorities have implicated your child in theft, deal with the situation appropriately. Confront your child and if he accepts the crime, let the authorities deal with him. He will probably have to return the stolen goods or pay for them from his allowance or by doing part time jobs. Let your child face the consequences himself. By barging in and offering to pay for the stolen goods and saving your child from the police, you are only reinforcing the belief that stealing is permissible.

Teach your child what is to be done in case he comes across something that is lost. Instead of keeping it for themselves, teach them to approach the local police and let them find the real owner. The best way to instill good values in your children is by setting a good example yourself.

As parents, it is our duty to ensure that our children do not fall prey to the vice of stealing. By setting good examples and by teaching our kids the good values, we will be able to rest secure in the knowledge that our child is not a thief.

Jonathan Pitts

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