How To Discipline A Shoplifting Girl – Prevention and more
So, you want to know how to discipline a shoplifting girl. Look no further because you are in the right place.
As a parent, it’s obvious that you want to provide anything necessary for your child as they grow up. And while doing so, it would be shocking to receive a call detailing that your child was caught stealing.
But because it happens, the best way of knowing how to discipline a shoplifting girl is to first understand the reason behind the stealing. If she is a teen, understand that your child is facing intense peer pressure.
Teens face intense competitiveness on wearing cool attires, having the best makeup accessories, or sporting gear. As a result, your girl may be forced to shoplift if you aren’t willing or can’t afford to give them what they want.
Skip To The Following Sections
Is Stealing Normal in Children or Teenagers?
Some parents wonder if stealing varies between the things stolen or the age difference. The truth is that stealing remains a criminal offence.
Whether it’s shoplifting a piece of candy or cosmetics, your child must be held accountable for their bad behavior. However, this type of stealing can’t be categorized in the same group as aggression stealing.
But whatever the case, stealing can easily corrode your child’s development, integrity, and character. Therefore, you shouldn’t throw in excuses or justifications when you notice your child having such behaviors.
Why Do Children Shoplift?
One of the best ways to know how to discipline a shoplifting girl is to first examine their thinking. Knowing why children shoplift will help you to address the issue efficiently and effectively as well.
As earlier pointed out, most teens usually steal due to peer pressure. Besides that, most kids who steal usually feel entitled to what they are stealing.
However, your kid could be just trying to get your attention. In this case, you need to make them feel appreciated and as part of the family.
Others may also resort to stealing because it excites them and gives them an adrenaline pump. And one thing that seems to evade almost every parent’s awareness is the society’s message towards objective morality.
Because children are mostly glued to television shows and movies, they end up picking ideas on good and bad behaviors. Being the bad guy or girl is highlighted as a cool thing in most movies, and your child may end up emulating the idea.
This might easily contradict their perception if you try explaining to them that it shouldn’t be like in the movies. Therefore, you need to be vigilant on what your child is watching or listening to whenever they are alone.
How to Discipline a Shoplifting Girl
Girls are easily flattered by shiny and beautiful stuff because they basically want to look like princesses. This might lead them into the temptation of shoplifting what they want or need but can’t afford.
Other reasons why a girl may still are similar to what we’ve talked about earlier in the ‘why do children shoplift’ section of this article. That said, let’s now look at how to discipline a shoplifting girl.
- Get them to Apologize
Face-to-face apology is a must if your girl has been caught shoplifting, regardless of her age. She must understand that there are consequences to her actions and that she will be held accountable for them.
Therefore, ensure that you emphasize on face-to-face apology from your child to the store owner or manager. This will show her that you won’t take the fault for her mistakes now and in future time as well.
It’s an effective way to ensure that she learns her lesson, and that she won’t repeat her stealing behaviors going forward.
- Make Her Accountable
If your child is caught stealing, most stores will usually demand payment for the product stolen. Similarly, they may also add in a fine to compensate for the troubles caused by your child.
And if that’s not enough, the store might decide to temporarily or permanently ban your girl from visiting the store. Whatever the case might be, you too must hold her accountable for her actions as well.
You can easily and effectively ensure that she doesn’t repeat her mistakes by offering her restitution. Although she might not be able to pay for all the debt, ensure that she at least works for what you paid on her behalf.
This will teach her that people need to work so they buy something they want instead of stealing. She’ll be more informed of good character and moral behavior through her development.
- Hire a Lawyer
Although most store will only require payment if your child steals from them, others may take it more seriously and decide to press charges. If this happens, hiring a good lawyer would be the best way to deal with the issue.
That’s because you’ll clearly know the options you have as a parent for better results. Moreover, a bad experience during such an occurrence might end up on your child’s permanent record.
- Keep a Close Eye on Her
After getting caught, your child might not stop the whole practice due to a single encounter. Therefore, keeping a close eye on her behavior is the best ticket you have towards her morality reforming process.
This means that you have to closely monitor their surroundings and belongings as well. Ensure that you keep track of the sources of all her belongings.
Also, ensure that her friends both from school and at home aren’t a bad influence on her behavior.
Conclusion
Finally, note that a shoplifting child can easily lose your trust. Therefore, knowing how to discipline a shoplifting girl ensures that you avoid losing their trust and getting embarrassed.
Besides that, teaching good morals to your girl will be highly beneficial to her morality development. If she picks up such a habit and you end up tolerating it then things might get worse as she gets older.
So, this guide teaches you how to understand the reason behind your child’s stealing behavior and how to discipline them for better results. It might be tough but the good news is that it isn’t impossible to reform your girl’s behavior.
