On pilfering and petty theft...

As parent, what are you going to do when you learn that your child is thieving in a small way? It is very possible...stealing or pilfering in store or even at the mall. There was once that I heard, a son of known celeb. His son was involved in pilfering a bar of choc'late and I quote, but it wasn't clear enough if it was really true. But going back, this things really happen. In fact when one of my kid was still in her grade school, she confided that she have had heard that her classmate, did such mischief by pilfering small things at the mall...like pencil...I was so worried how to explain everything to my kid. She even said, "pwede pala yon mama?!", of course I said. At her young age it's quite hard to explain why such thing happen. But as a mother, I feel obliged to explain everything. This is something serious and should not be taken for granted.
If your child does, you need to make them understand that the problem is not yet too big and serious but let them know that it could be develop into something real example of delinquency if not attended to right away. And as a mother or parent we should try our best to help our child to shake this habit off.
Maybe we tend to overestimate the situation at home. Maybe the child is unhappy or even perplexed about his life...or conflicts arises that we do not notice and it starting to insulate against them. Sometimes parents are so busy working and tend to neglect their children. Make ourselves always available and make use of spending quality time with them. Say like taking them to movies, shopping or even just at home while watching TV, or having snacks or a little table talk while eating meal.
Sometimes if parents are too harsh on them, they tend to commit mistakes or some serious pranks and mischief...so as to draw attention. Giving severe punishment or strong disapproval will only make things worse. Make him feel that it's not yet too late to make things right and not doomed to make him a real thief.