He is nearly 8, and since I have lived alone with them, his behaviour has been spiralling out of control, and I am having trouble dealing with it.
This morning their bedroom was trashed with loads of clothes that they had pulled out, so I asked them both to tidy them away.
DS1 refused, and kept saying "Get me my clothes" (to get dressed)
I told him I wouldn't get his clothes out until he helped DS2 tidy the bedroom, but he just sat on the floor, pulled the duvet over his legs & kept repeating "Get my clothes"
I told again that I would get his clothes out as soon as he did as I asked & helped to tidy the room. He didn't help at all, but kept demanding his clothes.
DS2 was helping, so I praised him for it, telling him he was very helpful.
DS1 said "No he isn't he's stupid"
We were meant to go to the beach today, but I told DS1 that if he couldn't do as I asked he wouldn't go.
He started answering back, and still would not help DS2, so I have said he is not going to the beach.
He then started screaming "shut up" repeatedly, so I really feel I have to stick to my guns & not take him for a treat, but that will mean I can't take DS2, which isn't fair on him really.
I am getting so so run down with all this, and don't know the best way to deal with it all.
I am finding being a lone mother very very hard & I feel I am getting it all so wrong.