RSS Feed | Email Updates

Child Stealing: If Your Child Steals From You

Children steal for many reasons, especially children with ADHD. If you suspect that your child is stealing from you, you need to take urgent and immediate action before he develops a stealing habit.

Prevention is the key here. Have a talk with your child and explain that you want to teach him the important skills of honesty. Explain that you want him to take and hold only items that are his. And that you are starting a new rule that if anyone steals anything from a family member, they must not only return it, but also repay 3 times the original value of the item. Illustrate this concept in several ways so you are certain that you child understands this concept. Leave some money out in sight and watch closely.

If you notice that some of the money is missing and you suspect that your son took it, explain the consequences and follow through. Meanwhile, start locking up your purse and jewelry out of sight. And do not allow guests’ purses to be left unattended in the house with your child.

If your child is already a chronic thief, it may be worthwhile to post a surveillance camera in the house near where purses are left most often. Even a fake one with a blinking light may be persuasive enough to prevent stealing.Explain to your child that if he sees something valuable lying around, it is most likely intended to test his honesty. Teach him to walk right past it without touching it.

Train your child values and hold him accountable for his actions with logical consequences.  If you use these methods consistently each time you suspect stealing, your child will probably decide that stealing is more trouble than it is worth. You Can Solve This

Consistency and follow through is critical to a possible cure of children’s stealing.I invite you to use these methods to transform quickly from reactive parent to surprisingly calm, cool, and collected parent worthy of attention and respect.If you want to help your child overcome the habit of stealing, I invite you to claim your free child behavior–improving report “Three Easy Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior Today!” 

You can download it when you subscribe at http://www.AdhdParentingTips.com  

It explains the methods I used to improve my son’s ADHD/ODD behavior by 72% in 3 weeks. The sooner you start, the easier it is to help your child. You can do this.

From Debra Sale Wendler - Respect Effect Mom and ADHD Parenting Success at http://www.AdhdParentingSuccess.com