What to do about a child who steals?

Question

My daughter is 8 1/2 years old. She is a good kid. But lately she has been taking things with out asking. An example was taking my lipstick and cover up out of my make up bag. I found out last night after I went to go put on make up before an important meeting and they were gone. This is not the first time she has done some thing like this and I tried to explain to her that it is wrong to take things with out asking, but she continues to do it. This time I grounded her to her room for a week, with no tv or radio. I am not sure what else to do. Does anyone have any suggestions??? Thank You!!!

Answer 1

Well, if it were my son, and he kept doing it even after I talked to him about it, I'd steal something of his....and I would let him go nuts about it, crying and the whole nine. Then, I'd explain to him that it was stolen, and that he must feel just terrible not knowing where it is! Just like mommy felt when _______ was stolen....

  If that didn't work, I'd threaten a spanking or something for the next time.

Answer 2

Have a talk to with her and tell her how important it was for you to have your make up in your bag.  Ask her if she needs anything that you might have, go out with her and spend some time with her getting her own kids make up.  She will later ask for permition to borrow stuff from you.  Ask her why she keeps doing it, and then tell her that you absolutley understand and will try to help her get her own personal things.  This will not only teach her not to take things from you but will bring you guys togeather as mother and doughter.

Best of luck.

Answer 3

Make her give back the things she stole and apologize. If she's doing it at home she may do it at a store or somewhere else where more major consequences could follow.  Then after she apologizes I'd give her the spanking of her life for stealing.  If she steals and destroys the item then take her allowance away until it's paid for or tell her she has to give you the money from her piggy bank until it's paid for to replace it.

You have to take a firm stance on this with drastic measures. When she is older and still doing this kind of thing the law isn't going to be so easy on her about it- and she'll have a police record to boot.   As far as grounding goes, big wow. Who's going to enforce this when you and dad are at work and she's at a friends house or daycare? Uh, no one.

Answer 4

umm just ask for it back. no need for punishment.

Answer 5

Give her a harsh punishment for stealing, explain to her that stealing is wrong.  If she continues to steal, take away a favorite toy/game.

Answer 6

When she takes your things, take a thing she loves from her. On the flip side, she is trying to be a little you! My daughter discovered my foundation and tried to cover up her freckles but I honestly told her how cute they were.  Idea is to spend more time with her.

Answer 7

Next time she takes something, get down to her eye level and talk to her. Ask her "Why did you take mommy's lipstick? You need to ask permission if you want to borrow something from me first"

If she continues to steal things from you, take one of her favorite toys each time. Keep taking more and more toys until it finally sinks in. STEALING. IS. WRONG. Once you notice an improvement, give her back all her things and explain to her again why these things were taken from her.

Answer 8

i know what u r going through i have a a daughter i would ground her too but guess what that does not work at all girls r more hard to handle what u need to do is give her a taste of her own medicine let her see how it feels  try it

Answer 9

When you say no tv or radio was she still allowed to talk to her friends or see them? Stealing in my house when I was a child would have been dealt with like this..first off I NEVER got an allowance, you done your chores or you faced the consequences, period. Grounding for a week is nothing try being grounded for a month, no tv, phone, friends..nothing. School,chores homework. That was it. Stricter punishment is my suggestion. Shes not taking what your handing out seriously enough in my opinion.