5/6/7 year old stealing money

[Anonymous]

How bad is it for kids to be stealing money at these ages? How serious of a problem does it represent?

I don't understand it cause it's not like they have any way to spend it

[Anonymous]

Probably a control thing.

[Anonymous]

They are old enough to know better. That you don’t just take things from other people. A one time thing from a 5yo and I would my bday overly concerned though. An ongoing stealing pattern from a 7yo and I would be concerned. We actually had 2 kids steal from
Us. They were both in foster care so there is some background but our friends fostered then adopted them. They spent the night at our house once because friend needed childcare help. The 8yo “ found” a $5 bill of my daughters and was told to put it back which he did. The next day DD noticed $120 missing from her money box and lo and behold this kid had it in his pocket. The older brother who was 11 at the time found an old phone and took that. Charged it, got past the password, changed the password, added apps , etc. his Mom found it about a week later. We hadn’t noticed it missing. We still see the family and do outdoor stuff with them but the kids are not welcome inside our house anymore.

[Anonymous]

All three of my kids got caught taking something at those ages. But once caught and lectured, it stopped - like a once and done thing.

One thing that did complicate things was that at that age, kids give lots of stuff to each other. So I had to set a rule that parental permission was required before giving or accepting anything.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the responses - this is helpful. I hope it stops soon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably a control thing.

how so?

[Anonymous]

Natural consequences may be best in this situation: Having the kid return what they stole and apologize. And putting away your wallet next time.

I know several people who have said that they stole (on at least one instance) as kids, and they're all successful, law-abiding citizens now.

Also, the motivation for kids may be wanting to buy a specific thing. Some kids may have opportunities at school to buy things.

[Anonymous]

I totally stole as a kid. Totally normal (well, as much as any of us are), law abiding citizen now. It ended before middle school- probably when I started babysitting and had money of my own and more responsibilities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the responses - this is helpful. I hope it stops soon!

It won't stop with just a hope. You take charge and have them personally return the stolen item(s,) and apologize as well as take away privilege(s).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally stole as a kid. Totally normal (well, as much as any of us are), law abiding citizen now. It ended before middle school- probably when I started babysitting and had money of my own and more responsibilities

It is not normal. Parents are supposed to instill a code of ethics in their children and this starts with "you do not lie. You do not steal. You do not use something that belongs to someone else without asking permission.". These are just the basics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally stole as a kid. Totally normal (well, as much as any of us are), law abiding citizen now. It ended before middle school- probably when I started babysitting and had money of my own and more responsibilities

Same here. Totally stole as a kid. Even got busted once and had to give a pack of gum back. I don't break too many laws now, although I did walk out of target the other day with a pack of paper towels that the cashier forgot to ring up. Oh well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally stole as a kid. Totally normal (well, as much as any of us are), law abiding citizen now. It ended before middle school- probably when I started babysitting and had money of my own and more responsibilities

It is not normal. Parents are supposed to instill a code of ethics in their children and this starts with "you do not lie. You do not steal. You do not use something that belongs to someone else without asking permission.". These are just the basics.

I’m not saying it’s normal or OK, my point was to just let the OP know that sometimes, good kids (including a church-going straight A student) do dumb things and still turn out OK. I don’t know why I did it. And it was rarely anything major (think- taking my sibling’s candy, not shoplifting). But yeah, definitely guilty of it.

[Anonymous]

No its not normal. What else is going on at home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I totally stole as a kid. Totally normal (well, as much as any of us are), law abiding citizen now. It ended before middle school- probably when I started babysitting and had money of my own and more responsibilities

It is not normal. Parents are supposed to instill a code of ethics in their children and this starts with "you do not lie. You do not steal. You do not use something that belongs to someone else without asking permission.". These are just the basics.

I’m not saying it’s normal or OK, my point was to just let the OP know that sometimes, good kids (including a church-going straight A student) do dumb things and still turn out OK. I don’t know why I did it. And it was rarely anything major (think- taking my sibling’s candy, not shoplifting). But yeah, definitely guilty of it.

Going to church doesn't make you a good person. Or, why are these people lying, stealing and doing other bad things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All three of my kids got caught taking something at those ages. But once caught and lectured, it stopped - like a once and done thing.

One thing that did complicate things was that at that age, kids give lots of stuff to each other. So I had to set a rule that parental permission was required before giving or accepting anything.

If all three kids did it, something else is going on in your home.