I need some help....seriously....

[Kitten]

TweetSome of you may already know that we took in our 12 year old niece. We brought her in with us because her home life was not all that great and she was having trouble in school. Well, last night we found out that she stole $115 from the sweet little old lady that lives next to us. (this lady is 80 years old) We are so upset....and have no idea what to do with her. Is there anyone on this board that is a Child Psychologist that might have some ideas. I know, I am going to get a Counselor if we keep her here. At this point, she may just go back to her moms. Every time she gets in trouble, it is progresivly worse, now she is stealing from 80 year old ladies.

Anyone have any great ideas....we are so upset, neither one of us got any sleep last night.

Thanks in advance everyone!

[edvedr]

Tweetpm trip, he will give you great advice i'm sure.

[pudgy]

Tweettrip

[SUGARBABY]

TweetI third Trip!

Good luck, sweets!

[jack hust]

Tweetcall your local police department see if they have a youth boot camp to enroll her in sweet heart

[trip]

TweetKitten,

In general 12 years old is the beginning of a transition stage for most children.

It's about the time it dawns on them, certain things like, they will not be president of the united states, probably not going to be a super model, and yup, not the next michael jordan. These are deeply held dreams all kids have, and they hold onto them with tremendous hope, and believe, and when they see that they will not happen, they become a tad bit confused, frightened etc.

Now, take your niece, not only does she have to deal with the above, she also has too deal with all that crappy stuff from her home life, which is extremely real and emotional, plus the new environment and new rules you have set up. It is not that she doesnt' want to do these things and make you happy, the crux of it is in a nut shell, so far in life she really hasn't had a good value system set up and too life by that was reinforced by her parents. Her value system has been highly erratic, thus, when she has emotional stresse's in her life she logically would act out somewhat impulsively, and erratically.

Her normal response too stress or fear, will not be that normal, it will be very erratic, due to value system she was brought up with.

Which, makes it very hard on you and your husband and family emotionally because her responses to things are not consistent, she is a bouncing ball, some big some small, yet, not rolling along like others. ( just guessing here, don't have all info. )

If you can in general tell me a little bit more about her, personality, likes and dislikes, then could give a more specific suggestion.

Oh, and how did you find out? And what was your nieces response?

[Kitten]

TweetTrip...thank you! I am sending you a PM. It will take me a while to type it all up...there is alot involved, and I am at work.

[Auriflex]

TweetDamn

[new231]

TweetTrip is good help.

[trip]

TweetThanks everyone for all the positive support and compliments, makes a guy feel good.

[Got Gear?]

TweetDid I spell the sig right? Them long words confuse me...

[Got Gear?]

Tweet

Originally posted by blm9376
psychologist

Thanks! Better?

[jack hust]

Tweetthanks for helping her trip i love kitten very much if you ever need anything trip hit my pm you are a solid bro

[trip]

TweetROFLMAO

You forgot the part "& nutcase".....why, we're all crazy on this board, that's what makes it great....j/k