My 18 year old step-son continues to hide food/trash throughout the whole house. We have done everything thinkable to get him to stop. We are out of ideas. Maybe if we did reverse psychology that would work..??? Anyone have ANY ideas?
by 
Gumby
ANSWERS: 6
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Having been a foster parent I can tell you that this behavior is quite common with them, however I don't know If this applies to step children.
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When you find some, don't get mad, just put it in his room. If it is trash that won't make a mess, put it on his bed. Keep doing it till he stops. Don't offer any explanation if he asks, just smile and walk away.
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I am not sure if I am totally understanding the problem. But is it possible that it is an emotional issue. What does your spouse say. Is he still in the public school system. Can you get help from a couselor as to why he is doing this. It seems odd that he would pick this way to annoy you there seems so many easier ways for kids to do that.
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1.) If he can't be trusted with food, then he's only allowed to have it while under supervision -- he has to sit at the dining room table, with an adult within sight of him. No exceptions, and make a big show of it when he has his friends or girlfriend over -- humiliation and embarassment are powerful tools for behavior modification. 2.) You announce to him that he has 24 hours to clean up all the messes he's made in the house. After that, you're going to make a sweep of the house -- ANY litter or food you find will result in grounding, one week per item. That's no TV, no phone, no computer, no car, no exceptions. Then from there on out, if at ANY time you spot a mess, it's another week's grounding. Unless the food is IN HIS HAND or he is walking to the trash TO THE TRASHCAN, it counts for a week's grounding. He's forfeited the privilege of being treated like an adult while under your roof; if he wants it back, he's got to EARN it by ACTING like a responsible adult.
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i have someone in my family who used to do that. he'd hide broccoli behind the toilet and throw vitamins into corners, and more. its weird, but i think its less of a psychological problem and more of simple laziness. they tried everything with him, from reverse psychology to outright grounding/punishments. eventually they just had to kick him out because it escalated to beer cans/dirty condoms all over the floor and in their bed. i don't know if thats a viable solution for u. if you're considering it i think you need to consider this: are you enabling this behavior?
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Don't give him wrapped food and don't allow him to walk around with food. Make him eat at the table, then he won't have the opportunity to leave food trash around the house.
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