He even sneaks into my room at night and takes things that are only valuable to me. Keepsakes that have emotional value to me. I have punished him, spanked him, taken things away from him, grounded him, taken privalages away, thrown toys away. I have sat down and tried to explain why it is wrong. I don't know what else to do. I'm running out of ideas. Please help.
2007-01-29 11:27:54 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Pick one or two things and be consistent. Don't use so many different punishments that the kid doesn't know what's going on.
If he steals from a store you should have him write a formal letter of apology, return the item and apologize in person. That will embarrass him and make him less likely to do it again.
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I like the idea of calling the police.
2007-01-29 11:31:30 · answer #1 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes everyone might say spanking but this seems to be a big problem He is 7 years old and should know by now that stealing is wrong. My son is 5 and knows better. I really don't spank him. It's about talking and other forms of disclipine.He needs to know that that is wrong and can get you in big trouble. You wanna get it now before he gets older and gets in trouble with the poilce. It seems like you are doing all the right things. I told my son one time that the police was coming to get him he tried to take some skittles.
2007-01-29 11:33:56 · answer #2 · answered by Nesha 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your local police station! They might be able to have an officer come talk to your son. Maybe take him to the local prison or juvie and show him around? That way he can learn that there are more things than spankings and time outs for stealing.
Man that sucks though. Really sucks.
There was a little girl in line in front of me once, about 5 years old. Her mom told her she couldn't have this candy bar and so she put it back. Once her mom turned away she put the candy in her pocket. I immediatly told her mother. I don't think that little girl ever stole again......
2007-01-29 11:36:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some kids lack self-control. They might see something they want and take it. They don't stop to think first about what might happen. They might not think to buy the object or ask to borrow it. Kids get better at self-control as they grow. Some kids may need extra help learning self-control.
Some kids steal because their friends or family members do it or because they might have been dared. They might believe their friends will like them more if they steal. Doing something for these reasons is called peer pressure, but kids don't have to give in to it.
Some kids steal because they feel something is missing in their lives. What's missing may be love or attention. Or simple things like food and clothing. They may be angry, sad, scared, or jealous. They might steal as a way to deal with the situation. But stealing won't fix what's missing.
Other kids might have personal problems that lead them to steal. They may feel jealous of what others have. They may feel unloved and neglected. Or they may be upset that their parents are arguing or getting divorced. A kid might steal, in this case, to make up for something that's missing. But stealing won't solve these problems.
Other kids don't care about rules. They steal because they think they can get away with it. They may believe they deserve to have the stolen goods. But kids need to learn respect rules and the rights of other people.
2007-01-29 11:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by foodguru 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is acting out for a reason, what's the reason? Is his father in the picture? If not that could be a huge reason why he is acting out. If this is the case you need to get him a Big Brother ASAP. Boys (and girls) need a male role model and without one they tend to act out in negative ways. The bad things he is doing have nothing to do with anything, they are just cries for help.
2007-01-29 15:49:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this may sound drastic, but maybe call the police dept and ask if they would kindly come by, and maybe pretend they are going to arrest him. They can then talk to him and tell him they will let him go. (or you can walk in to the dept and tell them your son has been stealing from you.) It can be a minor drama production.
He needs something to really shake him up to make him understand how important this is.
The things you are doing are not important enough to him, to affect his better judgement. You have to get drastic.
2007-01-29 11:33:22 · answer #6 · answered by Dawn H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suggest family therapy. You have to stress how important it is that he don't do such things otherwise you will not be able to trust him. Does he have a new sibling? Is there anyone around who is mistreating him like an older brother? He may be trying to get attention, but more than likely it's deeper than that and counseling might really be beneficial. Good luck!
2007-01-29 11:31:50 · answer #7 · answered by Oh Suhnny Day 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go everywhere with him and watch his every move! Hide your things in a place you know he will not look! Lock his door after he goes to bed at night! Lock windows and all other ays he could escape his room, call the police like I have suggested in your other question about him hurting other people. Only you can do it, it's for your child and for his sake of life! Only you can do it. (Possibly your wife...? If you have one?) I wish you great luck.
2007-01-29 12:08:09 · answer #8 · answered by samara_kittykitty 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Next time when he steals something, you make sure he brings it back to school. In a way, he will know that it is wrong to steal.
Also, if this does not help. Bring him to a local police station and have an officer talk to him. Maybe it will scare him.
2007-01-29 11:42:25 · answer #9 · answered by solitude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's going to take awhile to undo 7 years of poor parenting but if you start being consistent with the discipline now he should straighten out over time.
2007-01-29 11:36:14 · answer #10 · answered by theangel1025 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋