Yea getting the cops involved could have the unwanted side effect of actually turning the kid into a criminal instead of persuading him against it, if you're gonna call me a criminal and I want to rebel maybe I'll become a hardcore criminal type of situation.

I would consider calling the cops for a scare right before I kicked the kid off to boot camp.

 

I'm all for sending him to boot camp, but I doubt his dad will go for it. The main problem is he's only with us every other weekend, and there's only so much you can do with a 12 year old. And I seriously doubt his father is going to do anything to help the situation. The fact of the matter is that I have stuff that he wants, that his dad won't buy him, and this is the root of the problem. I'm not gonna lock up all my stuff for a kid who is only around 5 days a month. His friggin' dad told him he's too old for toys! That's why he steals mine, cause no matter how much he asks, dad says no. Now i'm 31 years old, and I don't think i'm too old for toys, so I wonder what his problem is?

 

His father not buying them for him is no excuse, for him trying to swipe yours.

It might not hurt to buy him the occasional toy, when he's around, if he behaves. Positive reinforcement can help, but he still really needs to learn to respect other people's property.

 

I know it's no excuse, i just wanted to illustrate the type of prick his dad is. My wife has been trying for about 2 yrs now to find out what her support checks are being spent on, cause it doesn't appear to be on the kid.

 

Ya, if he's doing it because his Dad is a prick being nice is probably the best route. Try explaining to the kid that it's wrong to steal, and that if he asks politely and promises to be careful with them he can play with yours while he's there, then buy him some of his own for Christmas, birthday, etc.

 

I've tried to be nice, I personally spent hundreds of $$ buying him toys. That's why I get so pissed when he steals from me. I used to let him play with my stuff also, and now you can see where it got me.

 

lock up all your stuff in a room or something.

or leave something stealable like a DVD or something lying around than when he opens it up theres a note there says PWNED YOU LITTLE BIYATCH!

 

Hire someone to kidnap him. After about 12 weeks get the kidnapper to tell him "How does it feel to be stolen, bitch!" Then photoshop his face on some gay porn and give to his friends. At that time you should release him  

 

Has your wife considered taking dad back to family court to sue for custody? You may want to try thet. Perhaps your place would be a better environment for the kid.

 

I like the booby trap idea. Or cabinets with locks. Grounding, taking stuff away, etc. will get you far in some cases, but not so much if the kid just doesn't get it, and thinks he should be allowed to steal because of some imagined wrong (it's not fair, step dad has all the cool stuff and won't give me none, I don't have any money, wah wah wah). Then I suggest mousetraps for his stealing little fingers.

-Tony!