Why do kids steal money from their parents?

Answer 1

My child's stealing began at an early age- around 12. She stole birthday money from her best friend at a sleepover. After that it was gift cards & the purse of another friend, then money as well as items. She then stole by deception from her grandfather by saying she needed money for school and then never enrolled. Now she takes money from anyone. She has been asked to move out of my home and went to stay with her sister. She has been asked to leave there also. She has a dead end job and seems to think she is entitled to other people's money. I held her accountable with the early thefts by making her go to the victims and fess up- then work off the debt. Now I have no idea what her problem is. She is almost 20 years old. There is no accountability anymore and she just lies and lies. When she has needed money I have loaned it to her and had her work it off cleaning my business. The last time she was there she stole from one of my employees so now that is not going to work either. She has enlisted in the Marines and is supposedly going to leave in October. If there is any chance that she will turn herself around, the military will do it. My only answer? They steal from their parents because they can. I am learning to make the consequences of her actions be the very things I need to do to protect myself. It ain't easy because not being a thief makes me struggle with having to think like one. Not leaving my wallet/purse/cash/cards/checks around, hiding my grandsons piggy bank and jewelry, lock everything up... When she stole my credit card and got money on it? I should have called the police even though it might have ruined her chances to enlist in the military. Now, I feel I am doing too little too late.