Help ! What's a fair punishment for my son who stole his own xbox 360 ?

Question

My ex and I have shared custody of our kids. Dad bought them an xbox 360 for Christmas and it stays at my house where the kids spend most of their time. It is their dad's rule (and is completely enforced by me) that the xbox 360 does not get taken out of the house. Well last night my 14 yr. old son slept at his friends house and actually broke into his own home to get the xbox and take it to his friends so they could play there. He stripped the molding right off the door frame. Besides the obvious of taking the xbox away and giving it to his dad, give me some ideas of a really good PUNISHMENT.

Answer 1

WOW! I can't believe that he would do that! First off, his little butt should fix the damage he caused- pay for it and physically repair it himself! See if your ex will agree that he's not aloud to play the thing for at least a month and ground him from all other electronics for at least a week! (Except for homework!) Good luck!

Answer 2

I WOULD HIDE IT THEN GROUND HIM, AND THEN MAKE HIM DO A WHOLE LOT OF CHORES!!!!

Answer 3

Donate the xbox to charity or sell it.

Answer 4

Triple the chores for about a month or so and don't let him play the XBOX for a little longer. The chores are to pay for the damage of the door frame and the grounding is for stealing and disrespect. I would say a two month grounding for it. That is of course only if that's his favorite thing to do. Let's say his computer is even more important, ban it too!

suggestion: if he's into sports, don't ban him from that...sports are good for kids, don't punish him with that. Good luck :)

btw if I were you I would be infuriated! :)

Answer 5

sell the xbox

Answer 6

make him repair the door frame.  You'll have to have somebody there that knows how to do it, but you'll be punishing him and teaching him a little wood-working skill which everyone should know.

That's on top of the usual punishments of course.

Answer 7

you could give the xbox to me as his punishment :]

Answer 8

plenty of chores for a long time:-0

Answer 9

take the memory cards out of the the game console or wipe them completely believe me it will work because he probably spent hours getting to a particular level on some game haha

Answer 10

fix the moulding around the door frame and a book report on why stealing is wrong

Answer 11

Have him work to pay to have the door fixed (mowing lawn, raking leaves and the like), he will do all of this work during his spare time. And I gotta agree I think selling the Xbox or donating it to charity is a good idea. But might cause problems w/ you and your ex since it was a gift.

So devise a scheme to make it appear that you have actually sold the Xbox. And instead of locking it up in your home take it to work w/ you and maybe keep it locked in the trunk of your car or something like that. Don't bring it out ever for as long as his punishment lasts.

Answer 12

Have him buy the materials and repair the molding.

Answer 13

Have him pay for the repair of the door, and any other damage he may have caused.  If he has not money- sell the Xbox to pay for it.  PLEASE don't let him get away with this- someone starting to steal at 14 may not stop there.

Answer 14

14 !! get rid of the x-box make him pay damages and explain to the other kids why  he is responsible for  them not having an x-box!!  then make him wear a board that says I'm stupid enough to break into my own home yours might be next

trust me- hit them were it hurts embarrass them 30 minutes on the high street should do it !!

Answer 15

he has to fix the door for one.

he could also do other fixes around the house or outside the house. its summer, so he should be outside anyways. i was rarely indoors during the summer, he should be outside doing activities, sports, biking, etc. make him workout, go to a gym.

Answer 16

sell the x-box to fix the door..or if u dont want to be too "Cruel"..put it away and say u sold it..to repair the door..and when he can be responsible u can get it back and tell him u picked one up at a yard sale.

Answer 17

if he breaks into his own home he will probably break into someone elses...So maybe take him to juvi and see if they can give him a tour or something like that to see where kids who keep doing things like that go.

Answer 18

GET RID OF THE THING!  Children do NOT need electronic gadgets!

Plus, have him help you with the repairs he caused.

Answer 19

Oh my gosh I would be SOOO mad, ground him for hmm I would say one month., and take away the xbox, for two months and THEN he should have to earn it back... he is 14 he can deal with that...then he should have to repair with mess he made on the window (with supervision)  best of luck.  Lock that xbox up.... like really lock it....maybe put it in your trunk, and hide your keys.

Answer 20

Ground him and make him fix the door