Grandaugter 7 years old lying and stealing at school

[Bonny1962]

Please help... Granddaugter 6 years old started stealing stuff at school and lying and asking for food, although she gets ample food and pocket money.  What could be her problem?

[jemma116]

Children go through different growth spurts.  So although you may think she is getting ample food, she still may want more to eat and perhaps when she asks for food at home, she is being denied any extra food and sent to bed feeling hungry.

If this is the case, then this may be the reason why she has resorted to stealing.  In her eyes she may not see it as stealing, but just getting what she needs at that moment in time.  

You do not say exactly what she is stealing from school, but whatever it is it may be that she wants it and does not have it at home, or this is a form of attention seeking.  Is she getting enough love and affection shown her at home?  (You do not need to answer that, it is just something to think about).  

It may be that she does not understand that it is wrong to steal, so you may need to quietly and calmly explain that we do not do this and that this is naughty.  The way I find that helps for this to sink in, is to explain to the child would they like it if someone took away something that was precious to them.

[RockRose]

I agree with SM and wonder if this child is adopted from a deprived existence?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, children are dependent on others for everything but dont get everything they want. They find out that stealing and lying can get things and they then discover they possess a power. They dont understand that this is not a good power and its our responsibility as parents to teach them that this is wrong.

I think i any of us reflect back to our childhood most, if not all of us have done the same thing to different degrees.
Just teach her it wrong and you might use the word "Sin" to bring a third party into the picture which is God.

[specialmom]

Hi there.  Well, I'm not sure.  There are a lot of things that could possibly be going on.  One includes things at home that you don't know about.  Perhaps there are things in her home that cause her distress, perhaps there are various issues and this is the way she is showing it??  Or there could be things going on at school as well.

What is her answer when her parents talk to her about this?