Our house boy steals Too much. And he also lies. He is about 12 but he talks and acts like a wise thief. He cannot be sent packing because his salary has been paid in advance. His mother is not ready to for go that, instead she says we should beat him seriously when he is caught stealing and lying (i dnt really ascribe to beating becos hand don dey pain me ) . How does one punish a little thief ?

Eyah, Jan.

What we did to our househelps who stole was to send them packing

but we never had anyone that young.

What are his duties in the house?

Thank u jare. he sweeps and runs errands. The boy sef tire me. The whole idea is jst for someone to be home wit my mum wen d need arises.

That can be a major issue.

There is no one that can really monitor him.

But how come he dosnt go to school.

He doesnt like paper and biro . we have to force him to even count. But my mom said she will mk sure he starts with the new year, after summer school, by fire or by force. But i am thinking "he is a thief, he shld be sent away" but my mum is always trying to mk smtg good out of smtg bad

Eyaaah.

i guess someone has to have time for him

to sit him down, talk to him, punish him.

because sending him away i think will only make him hardened

and we all want to add value to people we come in contact with.

Anyways, someone has to have time for the guy sha

you're right. thanks 

I think you should forget what you paid in advance and send him packing.

cos no matter what, he wont stop stealing. You caught him red handed and he's still doing it.

ill advice you to get rid of him and maybe ask for an exchange,in my house they have always brough people from our hometown and the only time they made the mistake of using all these benin boys,the boy was soo quiet and gentle and stole to the extent of his parents using the proceeds to buy a brand new motorcycle and set up a business for his mum,untill an uncle who was prolly jelouse came to the house to thank them for taking care of john albeit tongue in cheek,when he was threatened with police and he started to confess they realised he had cleared enough even sometimes when they never suspected him

@kokoye
my sentiments exactly. but sadly, i cannot send him away since i am not the one paying, i can only monitor him more

@ luca
lol. that is how quiet this one is too. from cutonou. they are silent killers. An exchange is actually what i advised my mum to do, maybe 4 a girl but she was saying the girl they might bring myt be a witch. i tire o.

I'm my own maid

I can't steal from myself

the best thing is getting someone from your home town so that even if you cant exchange,the other one will keep an eye on the boy till your contract expires and also u gys should watch out for his friends or people the boy hangs out with,there are some older guys that influences and teaches these boys to steal and stuffs cause they cant get acess to your house,last time i went home we had like 4/5 househelps all from home town and apart from nprmal bush behaviours and having to speak yoruba no other complaints

janami:

Our house boy steals Too much. And he also lies. He is about 12 but he talks and acts like a wise thief. He cannot be sent packing because his salary has been paid in advance. His mother is not ready to for go that, instead she says we should beat him seriously when he is caught stealing and lying (i dnt really ascribe to beating because hand don dey pain me ) . How does one punish a little thief ?

Child abuse!!! Yes, child abuse!! You paid what? How much did you pay his family that you can't get over it?? your hand be hurtin now, huh? You guys couldn't find someone older?? Beating a child till your hands hurt?

Stealing or not, don't make a 12 yr old your slave. How d'u have such a heart? Either you guys want to help his family and train him well or send him back to his parents and find someone older.

A 12 yr old?? Got to be a joke!!

This Radiant girl needs to get off the sunshine and read well.

kai!

@Janami, sending him away wouldnt stop his behavior
he would go somewhere else and steal.

Id say he has to be monitored well and taught a lot of things
he is still quite young

@post
the solution is very simple just chop off her hands

and i guarantee you that she won't steal again

the solution is very simple just chop off her hands

This must be a joke.
First we need to understand what he steals and why.

second, what is the use of a houseboy with no hands?

Third, if you want to fire him after cutting his hands, who will hire him? Thus, how would he provide for his family, and his future family?
He's 12, he steals, probably does not know any better but to steal for the ones he loves, so what do you do with such boy?
I don't know, but I am sure it don't involve cutting his hands off.

Gamine:

This Radiant girl needs to get off the sunshine and read well.

You definitely need to change your priest.

Radiant:

You definitely need to change your priest.

What is Funny?

Before they come and lock pesin thread

Back to topic,

Jan lets know your current decision.

Send the boy packing. Employing him under the guise of taking care of your mother in my opinion is child abuse.

Sending him packing is further abuse

dont you think.

First of all you have a house boy in present day Nigeria?? - Thats slavery

He steals - How much do you pay him?? - Let me guess _{(Minimum wage)} 7000 naira a month

He lies - He who is without sin cast the first stone.

If he is so bad send him packing.

I almost forgot.

12 years of age??

You should be in jail for child labour and abuse.

Thats 15 - 20 years in federal accomodation

There is no kid that cannot be reformed. Flogging him like your pet for flogging practice is unfair.
So many people take their positions in life for granted.

Modern day slave owners and yet their hands are the highest in the house of Gawd.

You got a 12 year old maid. WTF!!

Why in Gods name people keep children as maids is beyond me.  After slaving away all day how will he have time to read relax and be a bloody child?

You have no love for him so there is no way you would disciple him in a loving way.

Your a greedy person your only concern is the money you have spent on him a child you keep as a slave and you don't send to school.

Theres only one thief I see here.

LadyT, you've said it all.

exactly.

I just knew the pack would get here

They are sending the boy to school, cant u people read!

he is not a slave, haba!

LadyT:

Why in Gods name people keep children as maids is beyond me. After slaving away all day how will he have time to read relax and be a bloody child?

You have no love for him so there is no way you would disciple him in a loving way.

Your a greedy person your only concern is the money you have spent on him a child you keep as a slave and you don't send to school.

Theres only one thief I see here.

nice input

Gamine:

I just knew the pack would get here

They are sending the boy to school, can't u people read!

he is not a slave, haba!

A 12 year old child is in need of care and attention and is not in any position to be caring for anybody.

If he is not a slave?? then what do you call it??

But my mom said she will mk sure he starts with the new year, after summer school, by fire or by force.

She said he runs errands and sweeps.

my 10yr old sister could do the same

i dont know why you people want to pop ur arteries on this!!!

Gamine:

She said he runs errands and sweeps.

my 10yr old sister could do the same

i don't know why you people want to pop your arteries on this!!!

Errands you say!! Let me guess, washing dishes, sweeping the entire house, dusting, cleaning, taking the trash out, preparing meals, laundry and is still expected to read and at the same time be a kid.

Puleeze.

What is the standard of education they are offering?? public schools were there is basically little or no teaching done abi??

I believe shes older than the kid, why cant she do those chores at the same time go to school, get paid and still have time to spend chatting on Nairaland.

Abeg lets call a spade a spade and a 12 year old houseboy, a slave.