re: 5 year old with stealing issues.....

Quoting Not tellin:" She really needs a distraction. Something of her own that is special. Something that makes her feel ... [snip!] ... be embarassed about the stealing as well. Try a talk with her before you go shopping and then drop the subject and have fun. "

Yes, she is very bored... she's also a hyper kid.... video games are the only thing that calms her. I know she has to know she is stealing... she's almost 5... how can she not know it's wrong.. when I tell her it is.

Quoting Baby_Majick:" Yes, she is very bored... she's also a hyper kid.... video games are the only thing that calms her. ... [snip!] ... calms her. I know she has to know she is stealing... she's almost 5... how can she not know it's wrong.. when I tell her it is."

My daughters will be 5 in may. I can tell you that to them, they still don't quite understand "stealing". To them they know it isn't theirs but they are still in "borrowing" phase. Everything is borrowed and returned. It doesn't matter how it is returned, they return it somehow. lol I don't have issues of them taking things from others. Just my stuff and eachothers toys. It is irritating but, I just reinforce that if they want to play with my things, they need to ask permission first and I will help them. This also is something that they take with them to school and other peoples houses.

Try a softer approach on it and less guilt. Like I said, over praise the good and focus on the good things she is doing. Eventually, the good will prevail. It is hard to get over the social learning curves. Do your best to build her confidence in herself that she can do the right thing not that she is naughty. You don't want her to think that she is a naughty girl. It is ok to reflect on the action not being appropriate, not for her to be naughty.