How do I punish a 10 year old boy that lies and steals constantly without remorse

[momindistress26]

I have a 10 year old boy that comes and spends the weekend with me and stays with my aunt during the week.  I am suppose to getting them back soon but we are taking it slow.  Now the problem I have is that he has been stealing for a long time he first started stealing things at his house like small junk food items etc but now this weekend he stole a nintendo ds from my step niece that he was playing with and lied about having it.  I found it on him and he blamed his little brother who has also stole.  He said that he give it to him to hold, which I told him was still wrong that he knew it was not theres and I had to punish both of them by taking everything away and putting them in the room, but now I believe that the younger brother did not do anything because when I took them both home i checked them to make sure nothing was taken and the younger one was clean but the older one had stole a root bear.  So we punished (my aunt and me) the older one for a week.  So when he went to school he stole a chocolate milk and something else so I am stumped on what to do please HELP!!!

[Ravare]

Once there is a consistent consequence he may start to get the message. Just stay on it. It sounds like he is a strong willed kid, so he will try and chip away at you until you give up. Just stick to it, consistency is the key.

[momindistress26]

We both punish him she carries out the punishment that I give him.  I have told him and talked to him about how wrong stealing and lieing is wrong and the consequences.  I have not yet got to be consistant with punishment since this is a new thing for me but I will consider what you say and I will try it and see if it works.  We are just both at our wits end.  He shows no remorse as to what he is doing

[Ravare]

Does he know the implications of stealing and what the consequences are and why it is wrong? If not, then explain it to him, if he does then consistent punishment is needed.

What is his consequence for stealing? If it is writing sentences or chores around the house then he needs that done everytime he steals. Also is the aunt disciplining him during the week or just waiting till you can discipline on the weekends? If she is waiting till the weekends, then that may be way to long after the fact to punish the child. '

Education on why stealing is wrong and consistent consequences is vital. Im not saying yell or hit or degrade the child, but the child needs to know that everytime they steal, the same consequence will be given, no less and no more.

Most parents wont agree with what I am saying, however this is exactly what my stepson's therapist told us last night considering some of the same issues. You may get tired and may feel that it isnt working, but just keep on it and always stay consistent.