I don’t really know where to start other than I am a broken mum at the moment and I just have no idea what to do any more.
My 15 year old son lies (all the time), steals, manipulates and deceives. We have had ongoing problems for a long time and I have done absolutely everything I can think of. He has stolen money from me, my partner and my other son, multiple times. He has stolen from shops. I have had no choice but to contact the police because nothing I was doing deterred him, he was cautioned and warned he would be prosecuted next time. He has still stolen from me. He lies all the time. I have had so many conversations with him, I have yelled, shouted, grounded him, taken everything away, I have done tough love and I have done days out, bonding things, making lists for goals to achieve that week. I have involved school and he has a youth worker for help. I have tried so many things to get him to stop his behaviours. He does struggle socially and hasn’t had easy teenage years but his behaviour is unacceptable. Our relationship has completely broken down, as has his with my partners and my other son. I’ve been that unwell that I’ve been off work because I have struggled to cope. He has done so many things. I follow through with my threats so he knows I mean it but he also knows that he has a loving home. He’s a very smart boy with so much potential but he’s going to ruin it all and has been warned he faces expulsion. He is waiting for some counselling to see if that helps, but ultimately I can’t keep living like this. Nothing in my house is safe, he can not be trusted at all and I don’t know what to do. I love my son more than anything in the world but it is massively impacting me and everything else and it can’t go on like this. I need some advice, I have honestly done everything and I am worried sick for his future, I am heart broken at the situation, I miss my son and I want the best for him but he is making me ill. I have explored why he steals, we have done work around friends etc. i am a mum at her wits end and I have another son I have to think about who is only 10 and my long term partner. We are all struggling. I’ve tried to get him to focus and engage in his passions. I’m just fighting a losing battle and I feel like it’s going to come to a point where he no longer lives with me and it breaks my heart to even think about that but if things don’t change, I don’t see another way. If anyone can offer some support, advice or words of encouragement, I’d much appreciate it.
i just want my son back x