grrrrr why do kids have to steal???

  I am so angry I can't see straight!!!!
Not for the first time in so many years, my 10 year old has taken it upon himself to go into a store that we frequently buy stuff from, and thought he'd try his hand at stealing sweets!!! OF ALL THINGS but still, it's the concept of just the stealing that really PISSES me off, I don't know what to do about it. THANKFULLY he was busted by a security person and escorted home and we alll had a chat about it! He is in so much trouble he's probably not going to see the light of day for quite some time!!! Anyhow, does anyone have any similar stories? How did you handle it? What do you think maybe causes them to do this? And how in the heck can i get him to STOP IT!?!?!?!?!?

Sorry to hear about your ordeal. My son is just going on 10 but we dont let him out of our sight yet. I imagine we will lighten up on him in a few months and give him a bit of free reign.
I remember stealing candys (remember the Brocks kind?) when I would go shopping with my grandmother. I was about 6 or 7. I got caught by my grandmother and she shamed me straight and I havent ever stole anything in my life since.
My step fathers grandson (dont claim that side of the family). Started shoplifting grapes when he was just 3. He was never caught and went on to bigger things such as candy bars, matchbox cars, etc. He was never repremanded and now he is in prison for combination of crimes.
I believe the best thing that could have happened to your son was getting caught. I doubt you will have many problems with him   Just a phase most kids go through.
Chin up!
Ricki

My dad used to steal a piece of Brach's candy for he and I....it was a bonding thing. I have a lot of trouble at the sainsbury's pick and mix resisting doing the same...

The shaming thing is the best that could happen though. Scare the sh*t out of him!

When my girls were young, the worst thing they hated to do was to have to apologize. So, whenever they were verbally abusive to someone, or whatever, I attempted to "talk" the situation out with them, then I would march them to the person and have them apologize for their part.

Your son? Well, I'd instruct him that there are rules we all have to live by, and how would he like it if some stranger came into his bedroom and stole something from him.... then, I'd march him down to the store and make him apologize to the manager and the security guard who nailed him.

Just a thought... he's surely NOT forget it any time soon.... apologizing is like the lowest of low's to kids... but, a great learning experience!
PitterPat

I remember stealing candys (remember the Brocks kind?) when I would go shopping with my grandmother. I was about 6 or 7. I got caught by my grandmother and she shamed me straight and I havent ever stole anything in my life since.

This is funny, i was going to share the same.  I used to do this in a local supermarket.  My mom busted me.....and forced me to go to the owner of the store (family friends) and confess, with the candy in my mouth.

I did, i cried, and i'd never steal again ever!

shoplifting is sooo much a peer thing... i used to tell my kids when they went to the mall with their friends that if they got caught shoplifting not to even bother calling me cause if they wanted to do the crime they better be ready to do the time... and i woulda let them be arrested and taken downtown if it had come to that and they knew it and happily I never had to test my resolve on it... so you can try that maybe...

In a warped way, I think it's good that your son has been taught this lesson. He's young, the crime was small, the impact so enormous it'll probably last him his lifetime.

The thing that gets me about some people is how little responsibility is accepted by them. That song "It wasn't me" did more harm than any other song that I am aware of. It had our youth (including mine) reciting that for everything that went wrong around them.

I'd love to see the values go back to taking responsibility for one's actions, accepting blame when it's due, and apologizing/making amends without being forced.