stealing

[Nick456]

my 10 year old stole a friend's toy at day care. He said he was very mad at the friends for annoyiing him. He and another girl(9) took the toy away. I am making him return the toy and reading an apology letter to the child. He will apologize to another friend who stood beside him when children accused hmy son of stealing. Is that the right thing to do? I need him to do some community service to repent and next two weeks he cannot meet his friends.
Am I doing enough to teach him a lesson? Is there anythign else I should do?

He is feeling miserable to read out the letter and to apologize and i am hoping that woudl teach him to acknoweledge his mistake and not repeat it. is that a right approach?

[babygirl6152]

yep- its' a good approach you are not just asking him to apologize but having him "right the wrong" the penance though does not sound self imposed- just more of a punishment? Or is he truly sorry? He may not be truly contrite now but hopefully later he will be...
I guess we all have a story - I stole some silver dollars from a neighbor's bother and my father made me take them back -

the only thing is - at age 10 his conscience should be well formed- hopefully it is a one time deal

[6yroldtroubles]

oh when i was younger about 5/6 I stole a pair of plastic earrings and a bracelet from my mothers friend. Mother had me call to tell her what i had stolen and when i had stolen it, then my mother took me back to her house to return the items i had stole. as well I had to write I will not steal at the womens kitchen table 50 times and mind you she was having a party with atleast 20 people who all witnessed this!!! I am 27 now I still remember this event clearly down to the color of the items (purple) and have never stolen since!!

[margypops]

He shouldnt have taken the car I think perhaps a verbal apology is enough, and also he is getting "community service' what does that involve?  and he cannot meet his friends Did you find out what he was annoyed at the friends for as although it isnt permitted to take something of someone elses, he may have had a reason and it would be good to check out what they did to him, Maybe they should say they wont tease him.