Is it just my 8 year old?

[Treadmillmom]

OMG my 8 year is zapping the will to live outta us. He is the oldest of 3 and I swear he monopolises our time re his behaviour. He's loud, winds up his younger siblings, scares them, answer's back constantly. He's a know it all and his opinion is the only one. As soon as we leave the school gates he starts and I just wanna turn around and give him back.
At school he is the model pupil behaviour and academically. At home he is very responsible when he chooses to be. He can make hot drinks for us, cold drinks for his siblings, knock up a round of toast and has now developed an interest in learning to cook, which is great. When in the mood he can be such a positive loving role model helping his siblings.
Why or why does he spend 80% of his home life being a right pain in the arse?
Before you ask we genuinely do praise his positive behaviour and come down on his negative.

[ilovepesto]

YOu sound blessed to me. 8 year old boys are quite simply ALL a pain in the arse. Not much you can do but get used to it. At least he's doing well at school. Lock him in his room with a tv and various activities and put his dinner under the door! Seriously though DO! Oh, and let him out for school.

[Treadmillmom]

ilovepesto I love your post, made me feel much better, till he wakes in the morning that is.

[Treadmillmom]

Bump

[Treadmillmom]

Please answer me, a new has started and so will the torture!

[Mowlem]

My almost 8 year old DD can be the same. In school she is the perfect student (so I'm told) but at home I'm convinced the phrase "when she's good she's very, very good and when she's bad she's horrid" was written for her.

Like your DS, she gets into moods where she just spoils for a fight and uses any excuse. Anything you say is like a red rag to a bull when she is like that.

No help, I'm afraid but you are most certainly not alone!