6 year old stealing?

Question

I posted a question about this the other day. My son stole five dollars out of his father's wallet, and he was spanked and we had a long talk. Well, we thought we would not have to deal with it again. WRONG! Last night he stole from his grandmother, and just admitted it today. Did you ever encounter these problems? We beleive in being consistent, so his father gave him another spanking and made hiim go and admit what he did to his grandmother and offer to do chores around the house. My question is what can we do to stop it for good? Just keep being consistent? I never thought we would have to deal with this.

Answer 1

I used to steal as a kid. I think about it now and then and came to the conclusion that the reason I stole was because I didn't have the opportunity to earn what I wanted. There was no way short of begging for something that I had to get sweets toys and so on. Maybe you should offer your child the opportunity to earn some money by letting him do some chores. Pay him a realistic rate for his work.

I am not a parent so you should take my advice with a pinch of salt.

Good luck

Answer 2

My daughter who is now 7 used to "steal" on occasion.

I just talked to her and since she is very religious, I asked her what God would think of her. After that I had no problems.

I'm sure that if you talk to him and tell him how disappointed this makes you feel that he will soon come to realize what he is doing is wrong.

Most kids want to please there parents, good luck and I hope that it works out.

Answer 3

This is early signs of  compulsive stealing and he should talk to a theripist. I know it has only happened two times but if spanking did not stop it the first time it will not stop him again and again. I knew a child that would steal the change out of the little bank on my desk everyday, finally i had to intervean. he talked to a theripist and his mother later informed me that her son took the change because he felt he earned the money at home by doing chores and at school doing his daily task and he was not properly rewarded. Maybe it is just a fase, but also maybe someone outside the family talking to him would make him open up. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

My son went through that.  We just had to keep talking to him about it and taking away things he liked.  Also if he bought anything with the money that item was taken.  I personally dont think spanking works for something like that.

Answer 5

take all his toys and everything that he owns and show him how it feels to have something taken away from him. Help him to get a better understanding about what he did is wrong by showing him how it feels to have his stuff stolen you have to make him wait atleast a day before you give back his stuff so he can really think that it is really gone before he thinks that you have everything

Answer 6

I agree with Odie and I have been a parent for 37 years.

Answer 7

It seems that spanking your son is not working. Try taking everything out of his room. Like his toys, etc.. Let him earn his things back. Let him know that stealing from people will put him in jail. You can take him to the juvenile jail and they will show him what happens to little boys that steal and let him know he will not be with his mom and dad. Put a little bit of uneasiness in him.