I found out today that my 7 year old son has been stealing money from my other son's piggy bank. He was stealing quarters to buy pencils out of the pencil machine at school. I have no idea how long he's been doing it and I only found out when I asked to see everybody's piggy bank and notice a bunch was missing from the other son. My oldest daughter is the one who told me the 7 year old was stealing it. I have never been in this sort of parenting predicament before and not sure what is a fair punishment. I am extremely upset and disappointed in him, but don't want to let that influence his punishment.
2007-11-07 08:23:05 · 10 answers · asked by tmb 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Have him apologize to his brother and have him ask his brother how much was taken. Add "interest" and then have your son give his brother that amount from his own money and if he doesn't have enough, then he will pay it back as he gets money. Keep a clear record so that you know when he is done.
I would be not be punitive with your son. While this is a disappointing situation, you need to make you son understand that its his behavior you are unhappy with and that you love him regardless. If it was my child, I would (after having him own up to it and apologize to his brother and pay it back with interest), I would have him write a letter to you and mom including why he did this and what he learned from his mistake.
Don't make a big deal out of it, and don't dwell on it. Kids are kids and they do stupid things once in a while.
2007-11-07 09:55:03 · answer #1 · answered by tjnstlouismo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stealing IS NOT good !! Leads to other things mommy if you know what i mean. So this is what i would do if i cought my daughter stealing i would show her a belt and show her how it works thats number one and depending on how much she stoll for instance lets just say she stoll 10 dollars from me i would make her stand in the corner {if she was 7} and make her say 10 times i wont steal money {ex: if she stoll 10 dollars it would be ten times her saying that} than i would make her pick up a rake and shovel and she has backyard chores for every day that she is out there equals up to one dollar and her being only 7 years old i would have my daughter out there for about 2 hours raking up something {animal fecies whatever is out there leaves or something} 2 hours in the yard cleaning every day for ten days than i would also make my daughter do chores that i do for ten days and than i would keep her from watching t.v. and playing games..Now me as a parent with my daughter this is something i would do so she understands that when something is done bad she has to do something else to make up for that or {working for her money} But being that this is your son you may have to make the punishment a little harder {proven fact boys are slower than girls} but yea make him clean the yard every day for a week make him do dishes everyday for a week keep him away from everything that he normally do for about a week and after the week is up ask him if he learned his lesson on stealing !! {and the whole thing with the belt to assure the "worried" parents you dont have to spank him with the belt you just show him what you can do with the belt its a scare tatic some kids fall for it others dont {i did when my mom used it on my brother}
2007-11-07 16:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by mommyandbaby 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Make him do lots of extra chores to work off his debt for his brother. To make it really stick, you can give a list of choices to the one who was stolen from and have him help choose the chore of the day or chores for the weekend. That way, they older brother is essentially being punished by the one he wronged.
2007-11-07 16:46:43 · answer #3 · answered by MJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make him work back his sibling's quarters by giving him chores, like making the beds or setting the table. Everytime he does a chore, give him a quarter and make sure he gives it to a person he took the money from. Then he'll learn the value of money.?
2007-11-07 16:29:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is wrong but it is also a very kid like thing to do. If they didn't make poor choices and mistakes, they wouldn't be kids, right?
First of all, I'd let him know how disappointed you are by his behavior. I'd let him know how very un-okay it was.
I'd make him apologize to his brother for stealing.
Then I'd guesstimate how much money you believe he has taken and he'd have to do extra chores etc.., to earn the money back to pay his brother.
Good Luck!
2007-11-07 16:29:36 · answer #5 · answered by wondermom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When our kids take anything the rule is they have to pay back 3 times the amount of the item stolen. EVEN if the item is returned.
2007-11-07 16:31:52 · answer #6 · answered by oh_my_its_linda 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First I would be absolutely certain it was him.
Then I'd spank him and make him clean his brother's room or do some chore for his brother. and pay back the money,of course.
Or maybe spank him and make him give all his current money to his brother.
2007-11-07 16:30:47 · answer #7 · answered by aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
make him clean his brothers room for a week,or ground him from playing out
2007-11-07 16:29:33 · answer #8 · answered by josephrob2003 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Withhold at least half of his allowance and give it to the brother until he's paid it all back.
Take away his toys and priviledges...
2007-11-07 16:26:28 · answer #9 · answered by Eric C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
talk to him
2007-11-07 17:10:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋