So my son (now 8) is driving me NUTZY with his behavior. He doesn't listen at home to my boyfriend (not his dad). He has taken up lying about the dumbest little things likke hand washing or hanging up his coat. He in the last week has taken his sister's things and hiding them. He also stole money out of her bank. We've talked, yelled, grounded, taken away tv and computer rights. He's in time out as of now, but I need a way to stop this behavior. It only happens at home, at school he's great. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm....sounds interesting.

WHat kind of changes have happened in your home over the last few months?

Busy kids...don't get into trouble. So, perhaps, if you've tried all the punishment that you can handle yourself, maybe switching gears to prevention might be a good place to start? And busy doesn't have to cost money. Family outings to a park, a walk together to pick flowers...

HTH
Kat

At this age sometimes any attention is better than no attention-even negative attention. It's possible he's at an age where he is trying to find his niche in the family and may be feeling like "odd man out" even if it is untrue. Can you maybe spend more one on one time with him without boyfriend and sister around. I know with my girls sometimes I would just toss one of them in the car and go the few miles to the store and maybe get a candy bar or pop and drive around a little-no distractions and no interruptions-by doing that he can't escape and you might be able to get a better handle on where his head is at.
I can remember driving around with Hope my stepdaughter, she was about your son's age and was acting out, I threw her in the car and over the course of our conversation, out of no where she said "you know Alice, it's pretty sad when you find out your mom is nothing but a whore" WOW!! I was lucky we didn't wreck, but it opened the door for her to let me know where her head was at and we were able to talk through her feelings. YOu just never know what a car ride will reveal.
Good luck I know it's hard. Alice