{Stealing!}

My heart is breaking right now, and I just hope I am doing the right thing...This is probably one of the hardest moments of motherhood I have ever had.

Max...What can I say. As well as that kid can push my buttons (and everyone else's) I should be really annoyed by him all the time, but I find I love him so much. I really think I am the one who understands him the most and has the most tolerance for him. I really think I was supposed to be his mother. He makes my whole being smile when he is around. So with that preference, He stole candy from Wal-mart on Friday. I was so upset...can't tell you how many family home evening lessons we have had on stealing, and how many times I have talked to him about not getting into things that aren't his, and discussed at nauseaum about personal property. So why did none of it click?

We were late to pick up Sam from band, and we were already in the car and driving toward the Jr. High when I discovered it. We picked up Sam and then marched right back into Wal-mart to speak to the manager.

Can I just say that when I saw her, I was scared. She looked really crabby! "Yikes", I thought, "hope this turns out okay... hope they don't throw me in jail." So if I was thinking that, I can only imagine what Max was thinking. I simply said, "my son would like to tell you something." With a huge lump in his throat, he said " I stole this candy" and held it up. I thought he would burst into tears, but he was so tough, determined not to let anyone see him cry. The manager asked him why he did it and also if he knew what happened to people who stole, then told him that they had police officers at the store and if he did it again, he would have to speak to one of them, and might even have to go to jail.

As we left, I picked him up and said "Max, please don't ever steal again." and my heart broke as he started to cry. When we got home I made him tell his father and as punishment Max was grounded from candy until Halloween. If you know Max, you know that is torture, and you also know it is next to impossible. He was also grounded from the T.V. for two weeks. Since these are the two things that Max cares about the most, I thought it was a pretty tough punishment, but Ryan wanted him to know we were serious and I support him.

So what happens the very next day? We went to help get food ready for a reception, and they had candy in dishes, and Max stuck some (snuck sounds better than stole, but really he stole candy again) He was left to sit in the corner of the kitchen for the rest of the time I was helping and we had a huge talk about what exactly it means to have no candy...none, not if everyone else is getting some, not if his teacher gives it to him, not if it is out, none!

Sunday dawns and I remind him he can't go to the bishop's office for candy and he can't have candy if his teacher passes it out. I stopped after church to talk to his teacher about how he was in class and if she had treats...come to find out, he ate the skittles she passed out. Okay, Seriously! I am at a loss.

He spent all day today in his room. Only got to come out for dinner, help with dishes and then right back in, by himself...no toys.

As he went back into his room, he just bawled. I told him this is what prision is like. But truly, it just broke my heart. Why doesn't he get it? Why does he push his limits? and what am I supposed to do about it? I love that kid...but nothing gets through to him. He continues to sneak, and try to get away with things he knows he shouldn't do. I am truly worried and wish to nip it in the bud right now...but how?