DS aged 9 is being UTTERLY unco-operative about anything ....

[clumsymum]

OK he has never been a doddle, but we had got the rules laid down last year, and life was toddling along quite well.

But since just before new year he won't do ANYTHING he is asked without being asked/told 97 times, jobs take forever to complete, he deliberately gets distracted to other things, says he can't do something when he can, or point blank refuses, and has to be threatened or negotiated into it. This morning I have had to get VERY shouty before school, just to get his bag sorted out, and get him to empty the dishwasher (his regular chore, one of his pocket money jobs).

Currently the Wii is banned until behaviour improves, and this morning I've banned all computer time too until next Monday, unless he earns it back by doing as he is asked when he is asked, but I'm sceptical that this will work in his present mood.

This started while we were staying at my sisters, and we currently have Granny staying with us (adding her comments, very helpful) so I wonder if having an audience is adding fuel to the fire.

What with DS being stressed out workwise, my mother being here and ds being defiant, I'm thinking of leaving home.

He won't be getting 2/30 in an exam again KM!

That'll learn him.

Even though he can drive me insane, my heart goes out to ds1 a lot atm.
I think 9-10 is a really hard age for boys, they growing and changing physically, they're becoming secretive and embarrassed about their body and boys are just so competitive, especially on the sports field and I think that's a major influence at this age.
girls are just waiting until they're 11/12/13 to cause havoc

don't tell me you get "whaaat" first time you call KM???????
Surely you have to call at least 3 times before you get an answer!

I get 'what' from DS2 and he is only 5. No hope there then!

DS1 doesn't hear me unless I shout at him and when I finally get through, looks at me like he has never seen me before!

phew!
.
.

I feel sooooo much better knowing we're not the only ones.

Now please go and read my Rant about my mother, and help me not strangle her too.

My voice is just white noise to my DS. He can hear it, but only as an irritating background buzzing. Don't talk to me about spelling tests. DS gets himself in such a tizzy about them, that he can't get to sleep. The same with times tables, but he will not allow me to help him learn them. I've bought wall charts, board games and an extremely annoying CD for the car, where we all sing along, but he just will not try for me.

I am sure it must be the hormones starting to kick in. Like you Ingles my heart goes out to DS. It must be so hard being 9 especially in the world today of SATs, fashion, having to be cool etc.

it is not just darling sons who are like this my dd who was 9 last week has days of being angelic and helpful etc etc and days when she is the devils spawn, ( today being one of them) i am sure it is hormonal