Your Concerns about Lying, Stealing, and Destroying Property, Preschool
Your Concerns about Lying, Stealing, and Destroying Property, Preschool
You said that your child sometimes lies and steals. Your child may lie so that s/he can
get out of being punished. Your child may be fascinated with dangerous things such as
matches and fire. S/he may rip up papers or ruin others' things when s/he is angry.
When your child does these things it is upsetting to you and/or other adults. Your
child appears to have some problems with lying, stealing, and destroying things.
Your child may be doing one or more of the following:
Taking things from stores without paying for them
Hiding things they've stolen
Stealing money from parents
Lying to cover up things s/he has done wrong
Showing a fascination with matches/fire
Lying so that s/he doesn't get punished
It is possible that your child is also doing one or more of the following:
Fighting with or Hurting Others
Bullies, threatens or frightens others on purpose
Starts physical fights
Has used a weapon (e.g. a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife or gun) that could hurt someone else
Hurts people or animals on purpose
Has attacked someone and stolen from them
Breaking Things or Setting Fires
Sets fires on purpose
Breaks or ruins other people's things on purpose
Lying or Stealing
Has broken into someone else's building, house, or car
Lies to obtain goods or favors or to get out of things
Steals items when others are not around (e.g. shoplifting)
Does Not Follow Rules
Often stays out at night even though parents tell him/her to come home earlier
Runs away from home
Warning Signs that Things are Getting Worse:
Your child is doing several of the things listed above within a short time period
Your child gets suspended from school/daycare
Your child's behavior is upsetting you more
Your child is stealing things of value
S/he is hanging out with friends who have similar problems
If you think these problems are getting worse talk to your child's doctor,
even if you have discussed these things before.
