If you suspect that your Child is taking Pennies Bringing back items that are not his or hers from school without your permission, or even picking up items from stores without paying, is likely to come as a shock and cause anger and frustration. You may have explained to him the difference between right and wrong, or established a moral code by explaining why and why lies Theft are wrong, but the child can still steal. This may come as a nasty surprise to you, but this behavior is common among young people. Children. There are many reasons that can trigger such actions and it is important for you to identify them. Only then can you take corrective action without causing any harm and prevent the child from wandering further.

1. Child’s age is important
Always consider the age of the child before taking any action or reacting. Children under the age of four or five are unable to distinguish between right and wrong, understand the concept of ownership, or buy and sell. Six to 13-year-olds can grasp these concepts, but if they still do, don’t panic. It may be a one-off event or there may be a reason or motivation for the child to act in this way. To do so can lead to deeper issues or complications for children over the age of 14. While it is important to explain to the child that stealing is wrong and discipline him with appropriate punishment, it is important to know the reason first.

2. Find the Cause
Very young children can be impulsive and steal just because they want something and don’t mind taking it, even if it belongs to someone else. For children under the age of 14, this may be due to peer pressure, less pocket money to buy things they feel are indispensable to them, and an inability to ask for money from parents. Is. If they are stealing money from a parent, they may be emotionally insecure and demand their attention. They may also suffer from mental health issues, such as low self-esteem, insecurity, and inferiority complex, among others, which may require professional help such as therapy or counseling. If the child steals despite repeated warnings and without remorse, you may need mental support for the child.

3. How You Should Respond
The most important thing is not to overreact and not to get angry or severely punish the child. Don’t aggressively accuse or confront the child, especially if you haven’t caught them in the act. Remain calm, don’t immediately reproach the child for an explanation, and instead, gently talk to the child about why it is wrong to take someone else’s property, how he or she could hurt the other person and lose a friend. Make sure he returns the stolen item to the owner and apologizes with a promise not to repeat it again. If he needs your presence or help, give it to him. The important thing is not to stop trusting him and give him a chance to mend his ways. Continue to love and support him, but make sure you punish him adequately. He can either repay the amount from his monthly allowance or do extra chores around the house.

4. Be on the Alert
While you must show that you continue to trust the child, be alert for a repeat incident. If he stole from you, don’t be tempted by keeping the money in an accessible place. Track your credit card and monitor usage. Increase the child’s pocket money when needed and communicate with him more often.

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(Disclaimer: The advice in this column is not from a licensed healthcare professional and should not be construed as psychological counseling, therapy or medical advice. ET Wealth and the author are not responsible for the outcome of the suggestions in the column Will be