Stop a Teenager from Stealing

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	#*This may seem like an extreme tactic, and it should only be done if your teen has stolen from you directly as you are the one who will decide whether or not to press charges against your teen. However, this tactic can scare your teen so much that he may never even consider stealing again.		#*This may seem like an extreme tactic, and it should only be done if your teen has stolen from you directly as you are the one who will decide whether or not to press charges against your teen. However, this tactic can scare your teen so much that he may never even consider stealing again.
	#Impose a punishment that requires a positive action from your teen. Rather than enforce a physical punishment or a shaming punishment that causes your teen to become more angry and resentful, focus on creating a punishment that requires your teen to make up for stealing with a positive action. This will reinforce the damage stealing does to the relationships with those around you, and allow your teen to learn the value of honesty.<ref>http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/shoplifting.html#</ref>[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]		#Impose a punishment that requires a positive action from your teen. Rather than enforce a physical punishment or a shaming punishment that causes your teen to become more angry and resentful, focus on creating a punishment that requires your teen to make up for stealing with a positive action. This will reinforce the damage stealing does to the relationships with those around you, and allow your teen to learn the value of honesty.<ref>http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/shoplifting.html#</ref>[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 3 Version 2.jpg|center]]
−	#*For example, you may have caught your teen stealing money from your purse. You may then punish him by having him pay back all the money he stole from you. This may take time, as he may need to get a job or do odd jobs to earn back the money. But he will learn the consequences of his actions, gain more responsibility by getting a job, and understand why it’s wrong to steal.	+	#*For example, you may have caught your teen stealing money from your purse. You may then punish him/her by having him pay back all the money he stole from you. This may take time, as he/she may need to get a job or do odd jobs to earn back the money. But he/she will learn the consequences of his/her actions, gain more responsibility by getting a job, and understand why it’s wrong to steal.
	#*Another option is to have your teen pay back the money with doing extra chores around the house or cooking dinner for the family for a month. This way, he will be doing positive actions for others to make up for his mistake.		#*Another option is to have your teen pay back the money with doing extra chores around the house or cooking dinner for the family for a month. This way, he will be doing positive actions for others to make up for his mistake.
	===Preventing Your Teen from Stealing Again===		===Preventing Your Teen from Stealing Again===
	#Ask your teen why they feel they need to steal. Your teen may be motivated to steal due to other issues or problems. Identifying the root cause of your teen’s actions will help you prevent your teen from stealing again. Teens tend to steal for several reasons, including:<ref>http://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers/behaviour/what-to-do-if-your-teen-is-lying-to-you-or-stealing/</ref><ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201204/adolescence-and-stealing-family</ref>[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]		#Ask your teen why they feel they need to steal. Your teen may be motivated to steal due to other issues or problems. Identifying the root cause of your teen’s actions will help you prevent your teen from stealing again. Teens tend to steal for several reasons, including:<ref>http://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/teenagers/behaviour/what-to-do-if-your-teen-is-lying-to-you-or-stealing/</ref><ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201204/adolescence-and-stealing-family</ref>[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 4 Version 2.jpg|center]]
−	#*Peer pressure can be a big motivator for your teen’s stealing. He may want the latest smart phone or the cool, new sneakers and feel the only way to get them is to steal them from others, or steal to money from you to buy these items. A big part of adolescence is fitting in with your peers, and your teen may feel pressure to have certain items so he can blend in with the other teens at school.	+	#*Peer pressure can be a big motivator for your teen’s stealing. He may want the latest smart phone or the cool, new sneakers and feel the only way to get them is to steal them from others, or steal to money from you to buy these items. A big part of adolescence is fitting in with your peers, and your teen may feel pressure to have certain items so he/she can blend in with the other teens at school.
	#*The need for attention is also another possible reason why your teen is stealing. Any attention from others, especially authority figures, can seem better to your teen than none at all. Your teen may be stealing because he knows it will get your attention and make you notice them.		#*The need for attention is also another possible reason why your teen is stealing. Any attention from others, especially authority figures, can seem better to your teen than none at all. Your teen may be stealing because he knows it will get your attention and make you notice them.
−	#*Embarrassment or anxiety around certain items, like condoms, tampons, emergency contraception, or a pregnancy test, could lead your teen to steal these items. Your teen may be too embarrassed to go to the clinic for these items or to ask you for money for these things, so he feels his only resort is to steal them.	+	#*Embarrassment or anxiety around certain items, like condoms, tampons, emergency contraception, or a pregnancy test, could lead your teen to steal these items. Your teen may be too embarrassed to go to the clinic for these items or to ask you for money for these things, so he/she feels his only resort is to steal them.
	#*The thrill of wrongdoing could also be a motivator for your teen. Often, teens enjoy the thrill of doing something wrong and participating in risky behavior. Most teens are interested in things that are off limits or considered wrong. So stealing may be one way they are pushing the boundaries and trying to see how much they can get away with.		#*The thrill of wrongdoing could also be a motivator for your teen. Often, teens enjoy the thrill of doing something wrong and participating in risky behavior. Most teens are interested in things that are off limits or considered wrong. So stealing may be one way they are pushing the boundaries and trying to see how much they can get away with.
−	#Provide other sources of income for your teen. If your teen is stealing because they feel they cannot afford items their peers own, have your teen get a part time job after school or take up odd jobs to earn some money. This will help him learn responsibility and money management, and allow him the freedom to purchase items he wants, rather than steal them.[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Provide other sources of income for your teen. If your teen is stealing because they feel they cannot afford items their peers own, have your teen get a part time job after school or take up odd jobs to earn some money. This will help him/her learn responsibility and money management, and allow him the freedom to purchase items he wants, rather than steal them.[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 5 Version 2.jpg|center]]
−	#*You want to suggest your teen [[Create-a-Budget|create a budget]] and learn how to [[Manage-Your-Finances| manage his money]] so he develops good money management habits.	+	#*You want to suggest your teen [[Create-a-Budget|create a budget]] and learn how to [[Manage-Your-Finances| manage his money]] so he/she develops good money management habits.
−	#Get your teen involved in healthy extra curricular activities. Encourage your teen to focus his energies on improving his skills and abilities with others in a productive way through joining a sports team or a club at school. This may help him connect with peers who are interested in other things besides material objects or the latest must have items.[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Get your teen involved in healthy extra curricular activities. Encourage your teen to focus his/her energies on improving his/her skills and abilities with others in a productive way through joining a sports team or a club at school. This may help him/her connect with peers who are interested in other things besides material objects or the latest must have items.[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 6 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#Spend quality time with your teen. Stealing can be seen as a cry for attention from your teen. Don’t ignore this. Instead, try to spend quality time with your teen on a consistent basis. Show your teen you care about him and what he’s interested in by suggesting you do a favorite activity together or you both go see a band he likes.<ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201204/adolescence-and-stealing-family</ref>[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]		#Spend quality time with your teen. Stealing can be seen as a cry for attention from your teen. Don’t ignore this. Instead, try to spend quality time with your teen on a consistent basis. Show your teen you care about him and what he’s interested in by suggesting you do a favorite activity together or you both go see a band he likes.<ref>https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201204/adolescence-and-stealing-family</ref>[[Image:Stop a Teenager from Stealing Step 7 Version 2.jpg|center]]
	#*During this quality time, you may want to discuss contraception and condoms with your teen if you find out embarrassment or shame was his reason for stealing. Let your teen ask specific questions and provide these items so your teen does not have to feel embarrassed about having them. [[Talk-to-Your-Teen-About-Sex|Talk to your teen about sex]] if this is part of his motivation for stealing.		#*During this quality time, you may want to discuss contraception and condoms with your teen if you find out embarrassment or shame was his reason for stealing. Let your teen ask specific questions and provide these items so your teen does not have to feel embarrassed about having them. [[Talk-to-Your-Teen-About-Sex|Talk to your teen about sex]] if this is part of his motivation for stealing.