Dear MIMsters: I Need Help Urgently Before My Niece Influences My Son

Please I need help urgently. I have a 14-year-old niece living with me. I was warned by everyone that she steals a lot which is why nobody was ready to accommodate her. I felt I could be of help since I have a teenage daughter too who is a great example and can help her.

I decided to take her to live with me and send her to school. I spoke to her like a Mother would to stop all her bad attitudes and that she will be better of if she is good and she said OK.

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I sensed few days later that she was already stealing from me. I go about my business while she is home with my 6-year-old son and my daughter had gone back to school. I called her to have a one on one chat with her and fed her with the word of God and told her how great she will be in life if she is hardworking and honest.

When I got home the next day, my son said he ate eggs and indomie. Knowing we had run out of eggs, I asked, how come and she quickly replied that one of my customer brought them and I could ask him. I did ask him the next day and found out it was a lie.

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From my son, I found out that she’s been buying little things here, even bought ice-cream 3 times that day  and I have no idea where she get’s the money from. I searched her bag and found some money which she was not suppose to have with her. Point blank, I was able to prove that she steals and lies to cover up for her stealing. I didn’t want to smack her so I reported her to my parents and other people living with us. The shame will serve as her punishment for stealing and lying.

My question is: what other methods can I use to stop her from stealing? This habit has eaten so much into her. We have started praying for her during devotion at home. I don’t want her to influence my son so I need to help her please.