Stealing

[LadyFlumpalot]

My 6 year old DS is stealing non stop at the moment. If I take him to a shop he's sneaking stuff into his pocket as soon as my back is turned, he's taking things from school, going into DH's workshop (spare room) and filling his pockets with stuff and taking his sisters things. It's always silly little things like party bag toys or just whatever he can grab and hide away.

We've tried putting locks on the study door and he just piles up books etc til he can undo it.

I take him to the shops and make him apologise and pay for the things out of his piggy bank.

I've told the school and they've spoken to him about rights and respecting others and their property.

We've taken away screen time, taken away his guitar, told him off, love bombed, everything.

He just doesn't seem to show any remorse at all. He says sorry, then a day later I pick him up from school and he's got something else in his pocket that he's taken from another pupil.

I'm at my wits end, any suggestions? Is this just a phase and he'll grow out of it?

Has he said why he's doing it OP?

My now 22 year did exactly the same at 6. She was pocketing things in shops & coming home from school with other children's rubbers, pencils etc. Sorry but it took a number of measures to stop it & I was at my wits end as a working single parent. Talking & reasoning (me & the school) didn't work or making her take/give things back. So then I introduced a 'if you take something not yours you will have to take something of yours to the charity shop & give it to them'. I did carry this through and it wasn't pleasant as she sobbed & I felt awful! This worked for a little while but then it all started up again. I spoke to the local police station and took her in. She met an extremely nice policeman who told her how bad it was to steal & gave her a tour of the station. I know this sounds drastic & reading this back I must sound an awful parent but this completely worked and she never took anything after this (and no for the record, she didn't become terrified of the police!).

Oh wow, I didn't see the replay, thank you both.

@EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic - no, he hasn't said why he's doing it. Just shrugs and says "because" or "I don't know" when asked.

@SJane45S - wow, that sounds like it was tough. We've implemented a "you take something of mine, I'll take something of yours" scheme also. That seems to be working.

Both - it's made me have a good long look at my parenting and I reckon he's asking for attention, we've had a tough time as a family lately and he's been a bit pushed out and we've been very stressed. Lots of lovebombing going on and we are taking him out separately for mummy/son, daddy/son days.

Thank you for the comments.