Mother of Seven + 2

I believe the stealing for Michael started as a result of losing so much.  As the children moved from home to home, they lost not only people they loved but often times possessions.  For the first year Mikey was with us he would ask over and over when he would get his things that were left at previous foster homes.  We were able to get some of his things and that seemed to help.  However, when we finally just had to tell him that some things were gone and he would just need to be thankful for what he had here, he was very upset.  Michael has found security in things.  In fact, he struggles to throw even a candy wrapper away.  Many times I have had to clean out his room when he is not around because it was so emotionally traumatic for him to have me go through his things and get rid of the broken toys and trash. One of his chores for awhile was to empty the trash cans, but we quickly changed that job because he dug so many "treasures" out of the trash...

Here are some more thoughts from my journal early in 2009.  This journal entry deals with the stealing issue.  I only share this to help others and encourage others.   These stories are not shared to belittle my child in any way.  I am so proud of Michael and the progress he has made.  ***************************************************************************************************  "How I wish for answers right now.  When Ryan was changing sheets on the beds in the younger boys room, he found a $20 bill and his itunes gift card under Mikey's mattress.  These items happened to have disappeared out of Ryan's room.  I asked Mikey about them, and I have to give him credit in that he told us he had stolen them.  However, when I asked if there were other things in his room he needed to tell us about, he said no.  Les and I went through his things and found several things in his treasure box and dresser drawers. How are we to ...