Yuku free message boards

Unless there is severe autism, there is no excuse. Some kids have oppositional-defiant disorder, and there is really no treatment available. Sometime tough love is the only answer, if a child says he doesn't care, send him away and let him see for sure. No easy answer, but IMHO the kids that are the product of a strict but fair and loving environment, may hate it while they are there, but are thankful down the road. Ellen I am sorry if I made it sound easy, to be sure, there is nothing easy about raising any child. I believe that firm discipline, from both parents, is the key to that child being a successful adult.

I was pretty defiant, even in the environment in which I was raised. I never took a swing at mom, but sometimes I would weigh whether the punishment was worth the crime, so to speak. I was caught drinking underage, and my folks let me stay in the can, and figure my own way out. That included paying my own fines, community service, and an ass beating when I came home. Sometimes kids will push just to see how far the parents are willing to go, and you may have to go to the limit with your younger one. If your older son is basically a good kid, then the younger one may just like to push mom's buttons as an attention sort of thing. I venture to say, no middle school age kid is completely sane. My son is 15 now, and was a monster when he was 12-13. He is a different kid now that the hormones are in check somewhat. Good Luck, and God Bless