My friend traveled sometime last year and came back with a small girl that he said would help Madam to look after his own child when she returns from school.


The girl is too smart for her age, she talks and takes care of the house like an adult and she's doing well academically too but sometimes she will do something that will shock you to the marrow.


She steals everything stealable, from books at school to meat in the house to money.

If she sells something in the shop and her madam is not around, she will hide the money.

The funniest thing is that, no matter how you punish her, or threaten to punish her, she will never admit stealing something until you show her evidence then she will start crying and begging.

What's the best way to handle her? Beating isn't working and they have prayed enough.

RadicallyBlunt:
Show her the videos of consequencies of stealing like thieves burnt to ashes in Lagos.

Overfeed her with food. Give her big meat weh go scare her on top rice. Put her in care of money and threaten her with kondo/garri turning stick and a scary face.

Compose song for her like..."thief no come good life oooo, na some people get pikin dey become doctors lawyers and bringing glory to the family, me(her name) i go bring good fortune to my people, my destiny will shine, satan no go ruin my future thru stealing..." Tell her to sing am 50 times on her knees before she sleep every night. Believe me she go sing am for dream and by so doing, youre unconsciously building integrity against theft in her mind, she'll never forget the song till she old.

Don't isolate her from your children, just let them know you disapprove what she's doing. If she feels loved, she would give up the stealing naturally.

Except its a spiritual case which ur pastor under the influence of your wife may start saying..she may even be called a witch soon.

DBestDoc:


OMG! you killed me.

NevetsIbot:


Now, I can drop my wallet anywhere, leave money anywhere. He steals no more and announces any lost money he finds. He knows where i keep money and not one dime has been lost for two yrs now.

RadicallyBlunt:

Lol. Got that from my experience as a teacher. Children never forget such songs.

BTW pls are you practicing already or still in medical sch? Would wanna discuss something with you. Thanks

bennyrazz:
this part got me laughing , that your beating really reset his brain. @op, take this advice. Spare the rod and spoil the child.

DBestDoc:


Done with medical School. You can send me a PM.

blackberlin:
First of all, prayers can never be too much. Secondly, let her know that whenever she steals, she will be handed over to the police and taken to a children's prison. You can invite a decoy policeman to scare her and threaten her. . . that should put some temporary fear into her.

blackberlin:
Thirdly, find a way to meet the girl's needs. I believe children steal to meet the needs that parents refuse to give them. Even though she's a house girl, she must have the orientation that they really care about her.

blackberlin:
Lastly, rewire her mentality by keeping money with her. . . like 1500, 2500, etc. It will help her develop a mindset of responsibility and there's no better way to keep things than with the thief. . . Gradually, she'll start improving.

mrwonlasewonie:
Disgrace HEr and tear her clothes in public till she's naked. Tear her bra too

InformedLola:
Op,

1st: having a young child as a help is against the laws of Nigeria (not being judgmental, but it's child labour). If anything should happen to her (when your friend beats her mercilessly after she steals like someone advised), your friend will be in a lot of trouble with the law.

So this is a lose-lose situation he is in.

That is why having under-aged house-helps is not advisable, not only is there the tendency of you infringing on their fundamental human rights 'cause it's hard for you to treat them as well as you will your own kids, there is also the great tendency of them bringing whatever vices they have picked up from years of living in different households and conditions into your house.

It's best he returns her to her parents. If he really wants to help her, he can enroll her in a school in the village and pay her fees directly. He can also send some upkeep money to her parents regularly if he has the means.

Kondomatic:
Bra? You dash her breast?

Melonny:
I had a friend like that in sec.school. if her hand won't stop from stealing, cut it off..