A Brief Guide For The Parents On How To Discipline A Child That Lies And Steals

Do your children lie to you? Do they steal from you? Well, children are prone to acquire some bad habits as they can be manipulated so easily. But, if it continues, you must think and learn how to discipline a child that lies and steals.

Well, teaching discipline to your child is an important part of your child’s education. Being disciplined will help a child to form a good future and prosperity. But, what if your child lies and steals from you continuously?

If you find out the behavior of stealing and lying in adults, either they are criminals, or they might be kleptomaniacs. But, the case with the kids is completely different.

Sometimes, if your kids are too young, they can steal and lie to you as they do not know what they are doing. They also might not understand what lying and stealing are.  

They take it as normal behavior and thus they lie and steal to get costly things from you and impress their friends. But, being parents and elders, it is your duty to show them the right way.

In this guide, you will find out what to do if your child lies and steals. So, keep reading and find out.

Let’s start.

What To Do When Your Child Lies And Steals Continuously

Stealing and lying must be considered severe crimes, especially when they occur outside the house. For example, if you find out that your child is lying and stealing from their friends at school, or playground, you must take steps to stop them right away.

But, first, you should be aware of the psychology of children. A child’s mind is way more complicated than anyone can think. You might think that a child’s mind is simple.

So, you must be aware of: why do kids steal and lie to you or to others?

Well, according to psychologists, children can lie and steal for multiple causes. Lying, stealing, and cheating are all signs of emotional and psychological pressure and stress on children.

Some parents are too strict and they have a high expectations of their children. That is why children feel too pressurized. This is a common reason for which children lie to their parents.

Children can steal if they demand something from their parents and their parents do not agree with them. They can also lie if their grades become down and they fear punishment from their parents.

Also, they might be stressed for multiple reasons. Lying can be a reflection of that stress. So, you should always take care of your child. Make sure that they are not emotionally and physically abused by someone.

On the other hand, if someone provokes them, they can lie and steal.

What To Do When You Catch Your Child Lying- A Proper Parental Guidance

Well, you might think that you can punish your child for lying. But, you have to deal with a child who lies continuously very carefully.

At first, parents should not punish their children for lying. Rather, you need to make them understand that lying is not good for them.

You should use facts to make them understand. The moment parents show their children the right facts, only then they can change their behavior.

Here are some of the ways by which you can deal with your child’s lies.

1. You should always respond to your child’s lies with proper facts. You have to show them evidence and make them understand that you have to face consequences if they lie.
2. You should always treat your child as your friend. You have to make them feel that they can speak the truth anytime to them and you can forgive them.
3. If you find out that your children are lying, do not correct them. You have to leave them to face the consequences. When they will suffer, they will learn to speak the truth.
4. Children learn from their elders and parents. If your children find out that you or someone else is lying in the house, they will learn to lie to others. So, always behave yourself before teaching your kids.
5. Make your children understand that small lies can be forgivable. But, also, you need to keep in mind that you should teach your kids moral values and the consequences of the bigger lies.
6. If you have no option left, you should punish your children as you catch them lying continuously. But, you should be very careful as punishing the kids can lead to the opposite result as well.
7. It is best for you to consult a psychologist to treat your child.

How To Teach A Child A Lesson About Stealing

Stealing is a serious crime and it should be stopped right away. Otherwise, this can lead to worse conditions and that is not at all good for your kids. Here are the steps that you can take when you find out that your child is stealing something.

1. If you find out that something valuable is missing from home, and you know that your child is responsible for that, you must take action instantly. You should not wait for proof sometimes. Your child might have covered up the things and you can’t prove him wrong. Charge him and insist he confesses.
2. Sometimes, you must not ask for confession from your child as he or she can lie. Prove that your child is wrong with proper facts.
3. When you suspect that your child has stolen something, hold him or her guilty. This might be hard but you have to do this for the sake of your child.
4. You should try to educate your children the moral values and social sense from a very tender age. This can help to reduce temptation from your child’s mind.
5. Counseling is a good option if your child is stealing continuously. Consult a psychologist and he or she can tell you what to do with your child.

What To Do With A Teenager Who Is Lying And Stealing

You may opt for punishing your children for stealing and lying. But, when your children reach a certain age, and they lie and steal, you have to deal with them in a completely different way. Punishing teenagers is not a practical option. So, what to do with a lying teenager?

You might be thinking of how to punish a teenager for lying and stealing. Actually, the thing is that you can punish your teen children with the touch of creativity so that the punishment will not be too harsh for them yet they learn to be disciplined.

When they are punished with creativity, they will not be untruthful and be honest in the future.

Here are some of the creative punishments for lying teenagers.

1. Teenagers love to use electronic gadgets such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, computers, Xbox, or PlayStation. If you want to get the attention of your children, take all the electronic gadgets away from your children. Keep the electronic gadgets away from them for at least 4 to 5 days. This will work like magic and you can yourself notice the improvement in their behavior.
2. You should restrict their social movements if you notice that your child is lying due to some of the provocations from outside. For a particular period of time, you should forbid your child to meet with his friends.
3. If you let your child face the consequences of his lying nature, this will be effective for him as well. Sometimes, you do not have to punish your teen child as he or she is lying. But, I am not saying that you should let your child free even if you catch him or her lying. When your child will suffer for his lying nature, he or she learns that lying is not good for their future. In such cases, consequences will teach them to speak the truth.
4. You should make your child more responsible.  They can lie to you if they get bored. So, you need to make them engage in household responsibilities and chores. You should make a list of their day-to-day activities. This will keep them engaged and their minds remain fresh.

You should keep in mind that you have to maintain fresh communication with your child. Never make your child feel that he or she is alone and nobody cares about them.

8 Ways Parents Can Reduce Teenage Lying

1. Always maintain healthy communication with your children. Teenagers are easily attracted to many provocations from the outer world. So, it is very important that they discuss everything with their parents.
2. Always set honest examples before your teen children. This will improve their behavior.
3. Talk to your children as they are your best friend.
4. You should avoid interrogations with your child when you are angry.
5. You should not trap your child in some provocations to fulfill your own wish.
6. You should act honestly before your child. They will learn what they notice.
7. Communicate with your child with affection and compassion.
8. You shouldyour child a liar or thief. Make them understand that what they did was wrong by talking to them with facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my kid lie and steal?

Some parents are too strict and they have a high expectations of their children. That is why children feel too pressurized. This is a common reason for which children lie to their parents.

Children can steal if they demand something from their parents and their parents do not agree with them. They can also lie if their grades become down and they fear punishment from their parents. On the other hand, if someone provokes them, they can lie and steal.

2. Should you punish your child for lying?

Well, you might think that you can punish your child for lying. But, you have to deal with a child who lies continuously very carefully. At first, parents should not punish their children for lying.

Rather, you need to make them understand that lying is not good for them. You should use facts to make them understand. The moment parents show their children the right facts, only then they can change their behavior.

3. Can I call the police if my child is stealing from me?

If you find out that your child is stealing money or valuable things from you, and you have no option left, you can call the police to teach your child a lesson.

But, as for the first step, you should charge them and insist they return the things they have stolen. Also, you should insist they to apologize for what they have done.

4. Why do kids steal?

Some parents are too strict and they have a high expectations of their children. That is why children feel too pressurized. This is a common reason for which children lie to their parents.

Also, they might be stressed for multiple reasons. Lying can be a reflection of that stress. So, you should always take care of your child. Make sure that they are not emotionally and physically abused by someone.

To Finish This All

Children can acquire so many bad habits rather than acquiring good ones. They can be easily attracted to the outer world and its provocations. That is why they lie and steal. So, it is the duty of their parents and the elders of the home to show them the right path.

Deal with your manipulative child with compassion, affection, and facts. You can also punish them if you have no option left. But, never make them feel insecure.

Also Read: Why Are Parents Gluing Pennies To The Bottom Of Their Kids’ Shoes?