4 year old stealing.

[Anonymous]

OP you are missing something big.

This is not normal, not ok and disturbing.

I do not get upset easily. six kids.

You need help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is bizarre. How does he access all these things? Who is watching him when he does this? And clearly, no one is paying attention to him…how does he have access to pills, clearly you took away the baby proofing too soon. You need to watch him more closely.

Op here. I’m always home with him or my spouse. The kids often play in the playroom with each other or watch tv in the family room while we’re cooking or similar. He’s 4, not 2 so he he does have the run of the house. He can open baby proofing stuff (not the lock I put on my linen closet now!) We absolutely are keeping him with us nonstop since the pill incident.

He was right with us when he stole at the store. I’m not oblivious, he’s just sneaky.

I’m asking more for what to do regarding parenting and nipping this in the bud. Dh and are very ethical people so this isn’t something we want to ignore

[Anonymous]

How does he respond when caught? Is he remorseful? Does he cry? Yell? Confess? Stomp his feet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does he respond when caught? Is he remorseful? Does he cry? Yell? Confess? Stomp his feet?

Op here. He confesses and is calm. He doesn’t seem remorseful but I think he might be under his bravado. Definitely no tantrums or crying- he’s 4.

[Anonymous]

Since it is mostly sweets he is taking - how much access ones he get to these foods normally?

Kids don’t usually steal candy if they don’t feel restricted.

[Anonymous]

Sounds compulsive to me. Imagine the act of eating 100 gummies one after the other.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to bring in a psychiatrist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since it is mostly sweets he is taking - how much access ones he get to these foods normally?

Kids don’t usually steal candy if they don’t feel restricted.

Did you read it? He’s stealing from stores, pills and money from wallets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it is mostly sweets he is taking - how much access ones he get to these foods normally?

Kids don’t usually steal candy if they don’t feel restricted.

Did you read it? He’s stealing from stores, pills and money from wallets.

I equate gummy vitamins to candy and then he probably thought the vitamin D was the same. So yes, it seems to be mostly in pursuit of sweets.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm it sounds a bit more than normal. I’d start with your pediatrician and yes lots of supervision in the meantime

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm it sounds a bit more than normal. I’d start with your pediatrician and yes lots of supervision in the meantime

What would a pediatrician do for a kid who isn’t sick?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does he respond when caught? Is he remorseful? Does he cry? Yell? Confess? Stomp his feet?

Op here. He confesses and is calm. He doesn’t seem remorseful but I think he might be under his bravado. Definitely no tantrums or crying- he’s 4.

How have you responded? What have the consequences been?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it is mostly sweets he is taking - how much access ones he get to these foods normally?

Kids don’t usually steal candy if they don’t feel restricted.

Did you read it? He’s stealing from stores, pills and money from wallets.

I equate gummy vitamins to candy and then he probably thought the vitamin D was the same. So yes, it seems to be mostly in pursuit of sweets.

+1

He's going for the prohibited "fruit". He does not see a difference between candy like vitamins and marshmallows. Vitamin D looks pretty and like it would taste sweet. He wants what he can't have. How restrictive are you with food and sweets?

As far as the money, he does not know a $100 bill vs a $1 bill. It holds no value to him only that he knows it is a valuable item for you.

[Anonymous]

this is pretty normal behavior -

https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/is-your-preschoolers-lying-and-stealing-normal/

https://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/dealing-with-stealing/

I wouldn't worry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is bizarre. How does he access all these things? Who is watching him when he does this? And clearly, no one is paying attention to him…how does he have access to pills, clearly you took away the baby proofing too soon. You need to watch him more closely.

+1. The fact that he has been able to access vitamins multiple times is scary. I can see him getting access to food or money, but pills? Where are you OP or your husband or the nanny that he is left alone long enough to get into this stuff? Why is he not being properly watched? This is negligence.