We haven't caught him in the act yet or with the money on him, but he is the only other person in the house! He's been in trouble with stealing money before we got custody of him. We are beside ourselves and don't know what to do. I don't trust him at all and he knows that. He's a very sneaky kid and he lies all the time! Someone help!
2007-03-04 23:17:07 · 13 answers · asked by LISA E 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I wouldn't recommend talking to him about your suspicions until you and his father are prepared to do whatever it takes to end his stealing (including filing a police report). At 14 years old he knows what he is doing and he obviously doesn't have enough respect for you not to steal from you, so you should set aside the "passive protective" role and assume a more "active enforcement" role. He's living in your home. You DO have authority over what goes on in your home. Assert that authority. Who knows, if you stop his criminal behavior now....he may be saved prison time later.
2007-03-04 23:47:33 · answer #1 · answered by apples_ll_apples 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Then you need to stop leaving bait. Keep your money IN THE BANK and write checks and/or use a debit or credit card. The next step would be to confront him and make sure he knows that anything that comes up missing in your home from now on WILL be blamed on him...and then if that happens you will put him into counselling or get the police involved. Let him know that too. He needs to be scared up a little...and what do you suppose 14 year olds are stealing money for anyway...make sure there is no drug problem. There may not be but don't bury your heads in the sand either...
2007-03-04 23:26:46 · answer #2 · answered by Proud Mommy of 6 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree w/most people hide the purse securely! You can have survailence installed without his knowing it. 14 yr old will test anyones authority. Especially the step parent. His Father needs to be very assertive and make the kid know that you are not testing grounds(fair game).If the kid wants to earn money line up some hard labor for him. Either at the home or elsewhere. He is too young for most jobs but maybe he can help somebody paint or landscape?His Fathers' friend can be a place to look for work for him.No hourly pay either but by the job.
2007-03-08 23:20:23 · answer #3 · answered by Dotr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to set a trap to catch him.
When I was twelve I starting stealing money from my mom's purse to impress my mates. When she found out she whipped my backside. I learnt my lesson not because of the ***-whippin (well that helped) but because I didn't want to disappoint my mom.
But I think your situation is a bit different. A friend of mine stole from his mom, so his dad took him down to see the cops and see where he could end up - it worked for him.
2007-03-05 15:27:21 · answer #4 · answered by Zac 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a video camera? or a computer camera that you can watch your purse with?...
Stop leaving money in your purse?
Keep your purse with you at all times?
Confront him about it?
Make him work off the money he stole?
Does he need the money for something?
Does he get money to spend on his own? (allowance?)
Does he do drugs? (test him)
Are his friends influencing him to do it? (ban his friends from your home?)
Is he doing it out of spite?.. How do you treat him?.. Are you providing a home or just a place to live?
2007-03-04 23:30:22 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this doesn't solve the problem, but for awhile... stop keeping cash in your purse! Also sit down and talk, but if he does not keep being rewarded for going thru your purse, he may stop or actually come to you to ask for money.
2007-03-04 23:25:49 · answer #6 · answered by Magi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about contacting your local police department to see if they can come out and talk to him. It might scare him out of doing it. Just a thought. Or since you haven't caught him maybe say to your husband someone has been stealing money and you filed a police report for them to investigate.
2007-03-05 01:01:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
well, he sounds like he needs conseling and positive role models.
to protect yourself and your husband, get a lock for your bedroom door, and keep both of your money, credit cards, checkbooks out of his eye. hide it in your room somewhere. keep your doors locked. make sure he is never home by himself.
confront him about the missing money.
my cousin had a foster kid, who was also her nephew, who was constantly stealing money. when he stole $300 from her and her husband thats when they sent him back to the home. he was stealing from them for 1 1/2 years and they just couldn't take it any more.
2007-03-04 23:25:43 · answer #8 · answered by Miki 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put your purse somewhere where he won't find it other than that have the cops explain to him how many years he can get for stealing it ain't a good amount hopefully he will realize inless he want to be in jail
2007-03-04 23:36:15 · answer #9 · answered by Antinitra B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not you sit down and have a slow talk with him.. ask him why is he doing that, is there any problems that he is facing, is the expenses given to him enough.. if this does not work, send him for counselling
2007-03-04 23:23:39 · answer #10 · answered by nurnadiana_16 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋