I would imagine this is more common than people think. Amy went through a phase of doing this when she was about 4 years old. I remember going into Pets World once and she put loads of tennis balls in her pockets. Unfortunately, I noticed them before we got out of the store and made her put them all back. We were right in front of the tills so a lot of people saw. But she didn't bat an eyelid. She tried it with a lipstick soon after and we took it straight back. She knew she was doing wrong, but she couldn't stop herself. It was embarrassing for me at the time, but her autism took over I'm afraid. Unfortunately, ignorance took over the watching people.

CJ xx

Poor little fella! I think Mum handled the situation really well and I doubt he'll do that again. When Harry was about five or six, he came home from tea at his best friend's house with a £1 coin that he'd found on the floor of the bedroom. He was really sheepish and knew he'd done wrong and I obviously made him return it and say sorry. It was so embarrassing for him to face his friend and the other mummy and I don't think it's a situation he'd ever want to repeat.

I'm guessing all children try this at some point and I think this was dealt with really well. Mine are a bit young but I'm sure they'll try it. I witnessed some apparent thievery in Borders bookshop the other day where there's a Brio train set for children to play with while Mums and Dads drink coffee. A mum let one of her twin sons take a train from the train set because presumably he was kicking up a fuss about leaving. I can only hope she eventually handed it back to staff, but it didn't make a reappearance while we were there so four children were arguing over one train!

My daughter has never taken anything from a shop and I doubt very much that she would, but I suppose you never know! I used to work in retail and often it was the mothers pushing items into children's hands to take out of the shop, believe it or not!

My 18 month old took some earrings from a shop once and I ddn't realise until we were back in the multistorey car park. The assistant was dumbstruck when I took them back into the shop. He was obviously too young to understand but it was the honest thing to do. My Mother did the same to me when I took a magazine fron Bejam as a small child.

Very well handled. It is one of the things about growing up I think. Sometimes children just dont understand about paying. I have tolf and expalined to both of mine as I would be mortified!!

I agree this is probably quite common. I think little ones sometimes like to test the boundaries, particularly when they KNOW they are being naughty. When I was younger I had a thieving incident that involved taking all the inner dolls from the inside of a Russian Doll that I liked but was told I could not have. Once discovered my mom had us return the stolen goods and even as a young one, the shame and embarrassment of that trip made it's impression and ultimately deterred me from future theft indiscretions!

I love the way you tell the story. The poor little culprit!! I think you were very good to have taken it back. Honestly, if it had been me, I may have told her off and then eaten it myself!!! Awful I know...Funnily enough, my little girl tried to take some baubles fromt he Christmas tree at the BMB meet-up at the weekend, but the woman in charge saw her and asked her to put them back. I didn't actually witness it, but my husband told me. How mortifying! But she's a very good girl, so if she can do it, then I guess it must be common!

Oh yes. Years ago when my daughter, ahem, a friends daughter was very small they went into Tescos and the little girl grabbed a cuddy toy cat and off the shelve. I, the mum I mean, didn't notice and they went through the checkout and walked home with the cuddly cat still being held by the girl. I'm afraid this mum was too embarrassed to return to Tescos with it, so it remained in the house forever known as Stolen Cat.