I am at my wits end. My 10 yr old was adorable up until the age of 3 then it all came crashing down (gradually). He was the perfect child but then he started displaying constant attention seeking behaviour. Unfortunately for my DH, this coincided with us meeting though had already started to show it's ugly head before we were too involved.
We have tried so many things. Reward schemes, discipline, taking things away, grounding, naughty chair, missing out on things...the list goes on.
He's been to a psychologist, paediatric specialists, had brain scans, tried medication but nothing seems to work for any period of time.
Lately it's been escalating. While in trouble yesterday for punching his 4 yr old brother, I went into his room and found him burning things with a lighter he'd found. Then, after a big talk and further discipline (not physical), this morning he stole $15 from my wallet and lied about it right up until me finding the money in his school bag. When I asked him to explain, he said he'd had his fingers crossed so he didn't really lie. OMG! This is becoming the norm for him. He seems to only want money to buy lollies and is constantly sneaking into the cupboard to eat the hot choc or anything else sweet he can get his hands on.
Of course, the last paragraph is only the icing on the cake. He's argumentative, has low self esteem, tells everyone his step-father bashes him (really not true) and it just never seems to stop. I want to send him away to boarding school because I just don't know what to do with him but I can't afford $30k a year.
Anyone got any ideas how I can clean up this kid's act?
I should also mention that I recently left my DH for mostly unrelated reasons and I had hoped my son would start to improve now that he has to be the man of the house but nothing has changed at all.