Your child knows stealing is a shady problem, done in the dark, quietly and carefully. But does she know it's wrong? If kids get away with taking money from mom's purse, or that new toy on a student's desk, what's the harm?
Stories like "Thelma the Thief" from Character Building on Backtalk Street p.40 show the dark side of stealing. The fear of being caught, then being caught, and losing one's reputation were a high price for Thelma to pay. Such stories help kids think and discuss the problems with stealing.
I remember a child who stole something from almost everyone in her class. Her father was in prison and her mother worked two jobs. She took toys, candy, and school supplies from other students to fill that empty inner space where love and attention belonged. But no material thing solved her loneliness so she kept stealing until her mother realized the problem.
Some children steal from emotional need. Other kids steal for other reasons.
Your child needs to know that stealing is wrong and you can teach her in the family meeting.
The Family Meeting:
Discuss a story about stealing like "Thelma the Thief." Use questions that enlighten the problem with stealing like:
- What didn't Thelma understand about the other kids' feeling when she took their things?
- Has anyone ever stolen your things?
- How would you feel if you took something that didn't belong to you?
- Why is earning what you want better than stealing what you want?
- What advice would you give to kids who steal?
By asking good questions your child's inner light bulb will show her the dark side of stealing.
Feel the satisfaction of parenting well while she shares her thoughts. Why? Because you planted the moral seeds of understanding.
How do you teach your child to earn what she wants? Please comment.
Receive 80 fun activities to play with your kids when you subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com
Comments