I'm 14 and I have a stealing problem. Not shoplifting. I've never done that, I don't think. No, my problem is STEALING FROM FRIENDS! I have 2 friends whom I steal from often, whenever I go there. The one has never caught me( I think she knows though). Tonight I went to my other friends house and I stole eyeshadow, a hair clip, and more eyeshadow. Only 3 things. I normally steal a lot, but I knew they were catching on, so I held off. My other friend who was there were doing the blindfolded makeup challenge for fun, and my other friend (who's house I was at) looked in my bag while I was blindfolded. All of a sudden she said "guys we need to talk, this is serious, hurry". I thought it was about a guy or something. I took of my blindfold. And she has her hand out holding the stuff I stole. My jaw dropped open, my heart was racing, I couldn't breathe, and I though "my life is OVER!" She says, "what is this doing in your bag??" And I just couldn't talk, couldn't get anything out. My other friend is just staring at me. All of a sudden the girl who I stole from sister comes running in. They knew what was happening and ganged up on me. She yelled and told me to leave her house immediately. I made a lame excuse about making a list of stuff I wanted to buy and I put the items in there so I could make the list later. They then listed a whole bunch of items that had gone missing lately. I stole all of them, and I told them I didn't. I told them I swore on my life and my grandmas I didn't take anything of theirs. I called my dad and he came to get us and now they are posting on Facebook about it. "My friend" her sister and her mom. I feel so nervous, like my life is over as I know it. I know if my dad finds out I'm screwed. I will never live this down. I am now taking everything I ever stole from them 2 friends and throwing them away. Am I doing the right thing? Please give me your opinions and FAST!! I don't know what to do! Just tell me what you think about this and give me advice! IM SO SCARED!! :(

"I'm 14 and I have a stealing problem. Not shoplifting. I've never done that, I don't think."

You don't know whether you shoplift? How is that possible?

My advice - tell your father before he finds out some other way.

And, yes, you can be arrested.

Why do you steal? Jealousy? For attention? For the rush of getting away with something? Some other reason?

No, you take everything you stole and give it back, throwing it away just makes it worst.

You did a very bad thing, you will lose most of your friends, and it will be a while before anyone will trust you. You made a choice to steal from friends, so now you suffer punishment.

You need to tell your dad, he will soon find out anyway, someone will see the posts and tell someone, and he will know.

Stealing at your age means something is missing in your life - some emotional need is bothering you. What might that be?
And yes of course you give it all back, not throw it away!?
And you APOLOGIZE with no excuses.
And you find out what's troubling you. Start by telling us what you think it might be.

By owning up to your wrong and doing like Fr_chuck said is the best way to go. It can be therapy for you and fix your friendships. Yes they know but they for reasons do not say anything. Subconsciously, by giving the stuff back and owning up to it your psyche could make you cease this behavior pattern.