My husband brings home supplies from work all the time. I’m not talking office supplies, but everything from cleaning to medical supplies. It upsets me so much that he would jeopardize our livelihood on stuff he doesn’t even need. He says he’ll stop but he continues. He can quote Bible stories all day long but when I give him Biblical references to being honest, he just gets really angry at me.
My son notices the items and it bothers him, but I am afraid he’ll emulate his father. Stealing is so wrong.
I find it hard to take my husband seriously and am resentful that I have to live in fear of him getting caught. His thefts are looking like hoarding and I am embarrassed to have people over. It makes me feel very isolated. What do you recommend?
-- Five-Finger Discounted(END ITAL)
Please reverse that isolation and call the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Helpline, 800-950-6264. Leave a message if no one picks up; NAMI has a stated goal of returning every call.
You don’t just need an explanation for your husband’s behavior -- you need a plan to keep your family on the rails, and a way to talk to your son. Take care.
So pens and note pads are not stealing but glass cleaner and q-tips are? Is?
Why is he doing it? He's a klepto.
What will stop him? Nothing until he wants to stop.
What do you say to your son? How about, "your dad is an adult with a compulsion. If you steal, I'll jerk a knot in your tail".
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