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| When your child: | ||
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| BECOMES ANGRY | STEALS | LIES OR FIBS |
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| It may mean your child: | ||
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| Is not successful in doing something important to the child personally. | Wants something. | Has a vivid imagination. |
| Has been told, stop, no and don’t too many times. | Doesn’t understand property rights. | Is imitating someone. Wants to please. |
| Is being made to do something she doesn’t want to do. | Is imitating someone. | Fears punishment. |
| Feels frustrated from too many demands by adults. | Has unsatisfied needs. | Likes to exaggerate. |
| Has hostile feelings. | Is seeking attention. | |
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| So do not: | ||
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| Become angry. | Reject or shame your child. | Show how upset you are. |
| Allow a tantrum to become too extreme. | Humiliate your child. | Punish, shame or reject your child. |
| Make your child apologize. | ||
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| You might try: | ||
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| Remembering anger is normal and may be expected. | Being firm and letting your child know stealing is not acceptable. | Looking for the reason. |
| Observing when your child gets angry and at whom the anger is targeted. | Observing the frequency of stealing, the objects taken, from whom the child steals and the reaction when caught. | Telling your child the truth yourself. |
| Observing if your child is able to express anger in acceptable ways. | Showing respect for your child’s possessions. | Giving attention to who the child is and what he or she does. |
| Providing a safe outlet for your child’s feelings such as vigorous play, punching bag or finger painting. | Helping fill your child’s needs and discussing why a person cannot have or do some things. | Providing your child with opportunities for enriching the imagination. |
| Giving your child a chance to own something to get a sense of ownership. | Helping your child discover the difference between fact and fantasy. | |
| Helping your child make friends. | ||
Permission to reproduce granted by Child Action, Inc.