"Mommy knows you love books,

which do you want to buy most, I will buy two for you this time, sounds good?"

"You are smart to know that you can buy things using checkbook, do you know that your signature won't work? It has to be Daddy's signature?"

"When you are older, you will have your own checks."

"Please don't take daddy's checks or purse or credit card out, because if you drop them, some bad guy may get it and pretend they are your daddy and spend lots of money, we would be in trouble."

I took my dad 70 cents without asking him, he just say, "next time when you need money just let daddy know." I never did that again. My little brother took 30 bucks (RMB) and invited his friend to restaruant for lunch every day for several days. My dad found out that he was using the money bill as bookmarks in his textbook. He got spanked. OUCH! It is common after kids realize the power of money, that they took money from parents without asking. Giving him a weekly allowance, save money in piggy banks, occasional reward, then he won't do it again. It is not your fault, please don't feel too bad.