Appropriate age group(s):
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Description of technique:
Children steal for a variety of reasons and the odds are that every child will try to steal at least once in his or her life. The reasons they steal can vary from the thrill involved to the need for peer acceptance to masking a deeper pain or hurt. Often children steal because they believe it is the only way to get what they want. What should you do?
As a general rule of thumb, make sure that your child has an opportunity to make and spend their own money on things that they want. Teach them to respect not only money but also themselves and the rights of others.
If you have caught them stealing, don't blow up or blow it out of proportion, but do confront them right away. Make them return the item to the person or store that they stole it from and apologize. Explain that stealing is wrong and not acceptable in any situation.
If your child continues to be a repeat offender, start looking at the bigger issues. Has your family recently moved? Has your child's best friend moved? Has your child changed friend groups? Are there other changes in their behavior that may indicate a deeper problem? Do you think your child is stealing to support a drug habit?
If you don't feel that you are able to get through to your child, seek help from your child's school guidance counselor or local pastor. Children who continue to steal when they know it is wrong are usually experiencing pain or difficulties in some other aspect of their lives.