By nature he is a very kind boy, sensitive, reasonably clever, no trouble at school and has done well so far. He seems popular enough at school and enjoys it.
He has just turned 8 but with that seems to have come more attitude for e.g when I ask him to do things (gently for the 1st 4x) in a slightly raised voice, I get a very exasperated "whaaaat?!" in response. His general behaviour is getting worse not better for eg he eats really messilly, belches at the table and mucks around loads. I have always taught good table manners etc so I'm not sure where this is coming from.
He antagonises his younger brother (but cries and complains when he is antagonised in return).
What is really bothering me though is that his yr 3 homework states that he should read aloud for 20mins every day. He loves reading and reads well. He has read aloud perfectly well before but yesterday after 10mins he was fidgety and whiney and had had enough(the book is one he has chosen himself). I said we'd do some more today, so we get ready and we have had the most almighty drama for almost an hour before he would read properly. He went under the kitchen table to read but then he was crying hysterically, said he couldn't do it, that he didn't know what was stopping him. He threw all the sofa cushions on the floor. He did manage to ask me for a pick and mix sweet in the middle of all this (I refused). It took almost an hour of cajoling, comforting, scolding and explaining that he would have to read everyday if he wanted to earn computer time at the weekends. Eventually, he settled down and read really well for 10mins.
He is outside playing in the garden now but is being a bit of a pain to his brother.
It is exhausting and I'm running out of resources and patience. Please don't say it's just a phase because I don't like this phase and I need to give him some appropriate signals ifyswim.
Anyone had the same or similar.
Advice, comments and experience shared greatly appreciated