Discipline & Guidance Parents are often surprised by the
dishonesty of their children and are not sure what to do when
their child steals. Understanding why children may steal can be
helpful in dealing with stealing. Why Children May Steal: - Lack
of self control. - Peer pressure. Friends might dare a child to
steal. - To impress friends. A child might steal to give things
to others in order to buy their friendship. - Revenge. A child
might take something of another child to get back at that child
for various reasons. - To get attention from parents. A child
that feels neglected by a parent might steal in order to receive
attention, even if it is negative attention. - Boredom. If a
child is bored, stealing would provide excitement. - Lack of
money. - Environment. A child may live in an environment that
condones stealing. Tips for Dealing with Stealing - Model honest
behavior. If a cashier gives you too much change, let your child
go with you to return the excess. - Communicate the importance
of respecting oth