Hello everyone,
I'v come to you because my Husband and I have reached our breaking
point with his 10yr old ADD/ADHD son (my stepson).
To give you the 'cliff notes' version of our story, his son came to
live with us from his Mother's about 8 mths ago, in a attempt to
correct his bad behavior with strict disipline and strong parenting.
Well, none of this has worked. He is in the 4th grade, and can't
read, tell us the days of the week or months, and can't count money
(even though he sure loves' it!). He is already in a special ED
class with many other ADD/ADHD children, and we get a call daily
from his teacher saying he is out of control. Currently, he's
suspended till further review.
His daily behavior includes lying about anything and everything,
stealing anything not nailed down, talking back to me, sneaky
vindictive additude, tourturing our family pets, swearing and
fighting with every child he comes into contact with... among
countless other things. Needless to say, he has no friends anymore,
and we have to lock our bedroom door at night to keep him from
stealing from us while we sleep.
When it comes to disipline, my Husband and I are both very strong
willed people, but everything we try has no affect. If we ground him
to his room, he will not stay in there, ie; I have to use the
bathroom, I want something to drink/eat, and just sneeking out when
we aren't paying attention. Same deal with the corner. I have
seriously considered putting a lock on the outside of his room, but
I haven't brought myself to do it yet. My Husband spanks him almost
weekly, that also has no affect, he pretty much laughs in our face.
I have two children- 6 and 8 from a previous marriage, who live
with their Father, and they do not want to come to vist anymore
because he steals and/or breaks their things, and basicly makes
their stay unbearable.
The only thing we have'nt tried is a Boot Camp, which I'm currently
looking for. I guess what I need is some really good advice, and
maybe someone that understands our daily strugle. Please, any advise
is welcome. I'm at my wits' end with this child.