10 year old thief

[jusdog]

my 10 year old stole money from us more than once and has been caught more than once and still does it im running out of punishments what should i do

[spudqueen]

Have you found out WHY he's doing it? Is it because his friends get pocket money and he doesn't? Or is it more sinister and he's being bullied? I think you need to get to the bottom of this.

[Otrere]

When I was that age, ashamed as I am to say it, I use to steal money from my mum's purse. This was quite simply for the reason that I didn't get pocket money and all of my friends did. They were out buying stuff themselves and I didn't have any money to do the same as them.

When I was caught by mum and I told her why I had done it, she couldn't understand it because as she said to me I had never wanted for anything. But what I really wanted was to be able to have my own money and buy myself things - wanted a bit of independence.

I think what stopped me was her saying she would call the police - as a 10 year old I was frightened to death that I would go to prison - but that WAS back in about 1981/82 and I don't think 10 year olds were as clued up then as they are now (I know I wasn't!).

Like SPUDQUEEN and ANDY have said, I agree, you need to find out why this is happening before you can put a stop to it.

[llindsey1]

 A good idea next would be to bring him to a jail cell if your area will allow it. Just to show him what happens to people when they do things not nice. My fiance and I went through the same thing with my 12 year old stepson. It will make a difference.

[mollymandy]

Speak to him and find out why , take him fishing / skating / camping something that you can do together , build up trust , most importantly keep the lines of communication open . Listen dont talk let him talk to you . ask him to do jobs for money . Set a good example be an honest parent , show him whats right