Family Issues Support Group
Family issues is a huge range that go from minor conflict to major misbehaviour and even abuse on the part of individual members of the family occur. Whether you feel you are in a dysfunctional family or you're dealing with a very specific issue, this is the place to talk about it and find others who might be going through the same thing.
My 10year old son has stolen money from my wallet. A total of $90 and spent it all. Previously to this has stolen money from my boyfriend right out of our room. He has been put on punishment, no cell phone, no TV, no going outside and I have limited my conversations with him. He feels his punishment is too severe and I am taking it too far and he told me kids make mistakes. He has told me that his dad feels the same way. (His dad and I are not togther) I feel he has crossed the line and I should be able to carry out the punishment I see fit. What else can I do to get him to realize he is wrong for stealing? How do I get him to see this is serious?
I think it's a cry for help too. I suggest a counselor to maybe see if anything's going on that you can't see. Something Dad's doing or not doing that he shouldn't be or should be? Something your son's doing he shouldn't be? Something going on at school, a depression or anxiety issue he's dealing with another way.
You never know it could be anything. I think him saying kids make mistakes is coming straight from his dad's mouth. A 10 year old doesn't say that.
The only thing I would suggest is that you let him know there is a time frame for not being able to go outside - no TV, no cell phone, etc.
Also I would rethink the idea of limiting your communication with him. That may be just the thing that would work and in fact increasing your communication with him might be very helpful for him.
I don't think we should ever punish our children out of anger - only to let them see the errors they've made. If we punish them from an angry place then we're just acting like another kid getting back at a rival.
Good luck.