He Stole All The Presents

[CotterpinDoozer]

Wow, I'm really sorry. I wish I had better advice, but I'm going to agree with some of the others, he gets necessities only. Also, get a lock to keep him out of things. Is he seeing any type of specialist to curb the problems?

He has a psychiatrist and a therapist and is on abilify

Maybe you could reach out to them and see if they have any suggestions for you on what you should do. I'd seriously consider getting a lock to keep him out of the closet.

[Anonymous 2]

Now, after reading some responses, yes, this is your fault

You KNOW he's got issues -- yet you chose to allow him to fail

WHY the hell didn't you think about the consequences of your own behavior, in putting gifts where he could get at them?

Be mad at yourself

[mommy_jules]

It sounds like your son has issues that I have no idea how to deal with. My best advice is to lock up all gifts, and discuss this with his therapist/doctor/psychiatrist.

[jas]

This is on you, honestly. I have a special needs kid with high impulse control. You did absolutely nothing but lay everything out for him. He would re-wrap as best as he could and still get 1 present. The rest he would take to a shelter. But nothing when you as a parent have a part in this? No.

[Anonymous 1]

Now, after reading some responses, yes, this is your fault

You KNOW he's got issues -- yet you chose to allow him to fail

WHY the hell didn't you think about the consequences of your own behavior, in putting gifts where he could get at them?

Be mad at yourself

His presents were mostly in the attic where he has always been afraid to go so no I didn’t put them where he could get at them. I never thought he would bother looking under my bed because it’s a platform bed with doors and again he’s afraid of dark places so again I didn’t think he would look there. Either way he knows better and after getting into trouble I thought he wouldn’t bother trying to find them again which is why I threw them in my closet which doesn’t have locks because there’s nothing of value in them besides some clothes and shoes. He has psychiatric issues because of something traumatic that happened when he was younger and has been afraid of just about anywhere dark since so I thought I chose pretty damn good spots. I’m still shocked he even went into the attic. I never thought he’d open everyone’s presents, I never thought he’d venture into the attic, I never thought he’d go under my bed. Now I know for next year and I’ll have to rent a storage unit or keep them at a family members house because I have no other spots where he doesn’t go. That doesn’t negate the fact that he knew better and he shouldn’t have done what he did so he’s getting clothes and books instead of the things he asked for.

[Anonymous 3]

Kids will be kids.

Maybe you need to take his abilify.

[Anonymous 1]

This is on you, honestly. I have a special needs kid with high impulse control. You did absolutely nothing but lay everything out for him. He would re-wrap as best as he could and still get 1 present. The rest he would take to a shelter. But nothing when you as a parent have a part in this? No.

I didn’t lay anything out for him I put them in places he doesn’t go and I never thought he would go because he’s afraid of the attic and dark spaces. How was I supposed to know he would crawl under my bed or the attic? 2 places that he would never go normally.

[Anonymous 1]

Kids will be kids.

Maybe you need to take his abilify.

Maybe

[jas]

This is on you, honestly. I have a special needs kid with high impulse control. You did absolutely nothing but lay everything out for him. He would re-wrap as best as he could and still get 1 present. The rest he would take to a shelter. But nothing when you as a parent have a part in this? No.

I didn’t lay anything out for him I put them in places he doesn’t go and I never thought he would go because he’s afraid of the attic and dark spaces. How was I supposed to know he would crawl under my bed or the attic? 2 places that he would never go normally.

You underestimated him. They weren't locked up. It's not like he hasn't gone through your stuff before. Bet you he's gone through everything in the house many times over but was only caught a small handful.

[Anonymous 3]

Kids will be kids.

Maybe you need to take his abilify.

Maybe

Might help you think more clearly. 9 year old don't need meds they need parents that have it together.