How To Deal With Your Child Stealing Money

[CookingMom]

I have an 11year old who has been taking money from her Dad's wallet from time to time without asking. We live outside of the UK and thought it maybe the house help but it never made sense. We had a feeling it was my daughter but could never come to terms with it. The truth came upon us this weekend and after confronting her I realise there is some peer pressure from school but can not get to the real reason as to why she had to resort to taking money without asking.
This is serious and I as a mother need some help - how do I deal with this? My daughter is quite and does not interact much the age does not help!

[2sp_]

What a nightmare!

If she is unwilling to tell you why she is stealing could you speak to the school? She could be getting bullied, or has fallen in with the wrong crowd.

How has her behaviour been recently? Do you see a change in her mood?

[CookingMom]

Hi there I have noticed changes over the last month and did address it with school. They did not pick up on any thing it was all good!
As a Mother you have a sense of something not being right.

[2sp_]

What about her friends' parents? Are there any you could talk to?

[jno]

much money? I used to take coins I found round the house at that age (coins were worth quite a lot in those days), and I still haven't the faintest idea why I did it, so it wouldn't have been any use confronting me about it. Then I just stopped doing it and have been a model citizen ever since, if that's any comfort.

[Cloverjo]

Has she taken any more money since you confronted her? If not, that might be the end of it. The shock of being caught might have stopped her in her tracks.

[seadogg]

It's not uncommon for children to steal petty amounts of money,sweets etc.
You must make it clear that while you don't think she is personally wicked it's just not tolerated by other people. She is old enough to understand that the trust of others is very important and that the consequences of losing it are most unpleasant.

[CookingMom]

Over time the money is a lot. Not sure which mums to approach would hate to have something like this spread. There is more to it I think peer pressure is one as I limited the amount of cash my kids have in hand. Maybe other kids come with money and show off. My husband and I both feel very strongly that kids should learn the value of money.

We only found out this weekend and hope that is the end to it.

[2sp_]

Hopefully she will have taken fright and will stop. I think all you can really do is let her know that she can talk to you about anything (in case there is bullying or the like going on), but that you are disappointed that she stole from you.

Good luck.