Why is my child hiding household things?
Q: My 5-year-old son has recently, started taking things and hiding them. Items include our digital camera, a key to the fire box and articles of clothing. He claims not to know where he has kept them, but we have later discovered that he took them without our knowledge. What might be causing this behaviour and what can be done to correct it?
A:It seems that your five year old wants to draw your attention to him. See if you can spend more leisure time with him. Find out what goes on in his head, not like an interrogation, but playfully. Chat with him, play with him and take him out. Make him feel special and well loved. Maybe you are sending him to a school where the children in his class boast about their possessions. The child should have told you, but possibly you are not free when he wants to talk to you. Face to face communication is the best remedy for this situation. Have patience and firmness, but remember he is only 5 years old and when he takes something, he is not stealing it.