It started with junk food and cookies from the cupboards, he would get up really early and eat like a whole box of bear paws and hide the wrappers around the house. This has been going on for about a year now we hide stuff and for a while he's good then we would think he's over the phase and leave something out. then he does it again. Now its money not just small change but $10 bills are going missing and I am finding them in his pockets. he says he needs the money to go to the store. Now I have always been the type of Mom that if your good you'll get whatever you want so going to the store for an ice cream is just a question away. why is he stealing. He has an older brother who has never displayed any of this behavior and a sister thats 2 so I doubt she's teaching it to him.
2007-11-12 13:43:36 · 12 answers · asked by Chrissy 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
This is just him I always ask who it was and always get idon't know from all my kids they all get in trouble until the culprit is revealed, None of my kids are angels and any mother that thinks that need to open their eyes. I am only asking about one problem. and I'm only looking for answers that might help me with this current family issue
2007-11-12 14:06:47 · update #1
You may think is a little over the top, but it usually works with children. Try and make arrangements with your local Juvenile Detension Center. This is a family crisis, so I would have all the family go and let the juveniles who are doing time for their crime talk with your son. He may see first hand that this is not where he wants to be in the future. But if he continues to do the crime, he'll eventually do the time.
The worse thing that could happen is that he may break down and cry, bet he doesn't steal anything anymore. If he does then he needs to see a psychiatrist right away.
2007-11-12 15:28:06 · answer #1 · answered by babysister 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cousin went through this behavior so I know first hand.
The fact that his siblings are not showing this behavior at least means you don't need to worry about more then one klepto.
It could be a way to get attention that may be spread thinly between the trio of kids.
Don't single him out. Make sure to ask the older sibling if he is responsible for the next missing $10. Just so your son doesn't feel like you are automatically blaming him.
When he & his sticky fingers are caught again sit him down and have a stern talk about this behavior.
Explain to him that it is unacceptable, undesired, and will not be put up with. He needs to know that if he stole money from a friends mommy he could be in a lot more serious trouble.
For everytime he is caught stealing food make sure he is disciplined and not given a treat of food when everyone else will be getting it, like dessert.
For money, even if he gives the money back you need to take something that would be worth that amount of money. LIke $5 = his box of crayons, $10 = stuffed animal, $20 = Electronic toy.
Keep the items that have been taken as collateral for the stolen money in a box in sight for him, but that he can not play with. After his behavior has improved let him have 1 toy back each week or so that the stealing is not present.
This trick worked great for my cousin. When his little friends came over to play they were allowed to play with the toys in the "thiefs toy box" but he was not.
2007-11-12 14:00:07 · answer #2 · answered by prettyblueeyes101010 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
He's a five year old! hiding things isn't going to help much, that teaches him that it's okay as long as he gets away with it! You should consider seriously punishing him before it gets worse, sending him to his room, so on and so forth.
On the other hand, why he is stealing might be another issue all together. You make it sound like your two older children are perfect. I'm a little sister, and for most my life i listened to my parents talk about my perfect older sibling, but i saw the OTHER side of her. perhaps your son is simply looking for some attention, for you to notice him or something.
If you can afford it, consider going to a children's therapists, because of the possibility of this being deeper, but the biggest thing to do now is setting restrictions and consequences- a five year old needs to understand it's wrong to steal and that he has no reason to steal if his mother is willing to buy him what he needs.
Best of Luck ^.^
2007-11-12 14:00:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its sound maybe like a middle child phase for attention.
He is not the baby anymore and knows he gets attention from from you when he does it. Children seek out any attention whether its positive or negative. If you really feel its more than that you may want to ask a child psychologist. Try spending more just one on one time with him. Let him know that even though he is not the baby anymore he is a big brother and he needs to show his little sister good behavior. Or if he is in school maybe he is picking up habits from the other children he socializes with. I hope things get better for you. I am sure its frustrating.
2007-11-12 13:56:25 · answer #4 · answered by DAWN 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow. Children will do what you allow them to do. First ,you need to sit this child down and talk to him. Something is underlining this behavior. See if you can get to the bottom of it. If he says he needs it for school than find out what for. What cost ten dollars at school. Also try given him special praises for not stealing. That helps. You may even want to try some type of punishment. Let him know that his behavior is not acceptable. Forgive me, but me and my son, he knows I'm whipping ***. Plain and simple. But that does not work everyone. There are so many things that you can do to intervene. Your child is at his most precious state. This is your window of opportunity to help him before things get really out of control.
2007-11-12 14:42:34 · answer #5 · answered by tanisha d 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure it doesnt' have a gland that tells him he has to eat all the time?
And no matter ,how good they are.Kids need to be denied sometimes!
The world is going to say no.Get them ready for it!
He needs to be on strict,punishment for stealing!
I wouldn't hide anything.He needs to show respect for other peoples things! If it's missing he has to work off what he took.And that means,if the family has vacation planned,through one of his punishments.He stays behind,with a relative.Until ,he learns!
I'd empty out his room except for his bed,and give him "earn tickets "for everything he wants back in his life.Right on down to his bicycle! By doing extra chores,taking out trash is worth $2 .Getting his t.v. back ,he'll need $7 of earn tickets.
Take care!
2007-11-12 13:51:41 · answer #6 · answered by need2know 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A friend of mine son once stole a piece of candy from a 711. She called the local police station & arranged to bring her son in for a scare. The officer showed him what would happen to him if he ever stole again. They did this gently. It wasn't an episode of scared straight or anything. But it worked. He's 20 now & never did it again. Good Luck!
2007-11-12 15:11:37 · answer #7 · answered by Sweet Caroline 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think he needs activities & couceling. I remember this couple who brought their son over my best friends house they were having a party & you know how people put their coats & purses on the bed in a certain room. The boy went in somebodies purse & stole $160 the whole house was locked down until that money was found,the couple was embarressed (He was adopted by them) the father found it in his underwear.
2007-11-12 14:44:58 · answer #8 · answered by Trell773 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First you need to tell him that stealing is not OK and will get him into trouble later in life. After that, you take away his computer/TV and video games for a week and say next time you'll take it away for longer.
Good luck.
2007-11-12 13:58:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to get a professional involved in this before it gets any worse. I would ask his ped for advice on who would be the best person. They have usually seen a little of everything and can tell you who to turn to.
Good luck and best wishes.
2007-11-12 13:51:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋