Would you associate a talent for mischief as proclivity toward criminal tendencies?

Yes. A proclivity for mischief is also a proclivity for dishonesty.

No, there’s a line between mischief that is playful/harmless/fun/legal, and criminality. I know many people who are good, law-abiding, and even some rule-oriented people, who have done a lot of mischief, particularly as children.

So how are we to determine whether we are trying to save up money for our kiddies’ future educations, or putting that money aside for bail, detox and canteen cigarette expenses?

Maybe you’re best not trying, and giving them unconditional love?

But if you are curious, I might suggest authentic communication and listening, and avoiding projecting judgements, negative expectations, shaming, and any other negative patterns from family history.

Nope. Not a single warrant has ever been out for my arrest. No jail time, but there were a few traffic violations, parking and one speeding.

Most of the kids I grew up with got into mischief at one point or another, and are not dishonest.

That’s a pretty bizarre premise you’ve putout there.

No. If it was I should have seen some jail time by now.

I think so. There are those that are precocious but are not mean spirited. That is not, in my view, a proclivity towards mischief. Mischief implies something causing annoyance or disturbance. Those that tend to do that typically (in my view anyway) don’t do it once or twice. And they tend to escalate the actions…becoming more and more annoying. Eventually they get into criminal activity. Does it mean they will become rapists or arsonists or something like that? No. But will they do illegal things? I’d say yes.

Mischief is done out of boredom.

I still change the letters on signs and bulletin boards sometimes, if I can make something funny out of it.

A disregard for the law, or personal need, might contribute to dishonesty.

Depends on the mischief.

The other day, I changed a sign that concluded “Have a nice day!” to “SHave a nice cat!”.

Immature, I know. And yes, I’ve committed petty crimes. But mischief’s not the reason.