He's surly and angry, like a teenager premaurely. I've always treated him with respect, and we've had a very close relationship. But in the past year he's been horrible--angry, rude beyond belief, and frankly embarrassing. (Everyone, e.g. in-laws and my own famly, looks at me as though it's my fault!)
But then he has moments when he seems like the loveliest boy on the planet.
So I've gone from being a semi-pushover, to being very strict for nearly a year: sending him to his room (he laughs); cutting out television; implementing a reward system for good behaviour; shouting my lungs out; and being calm and simply talking to him. But I just don't know what else to do.
He's ornery by nature, and often grumpy because he's slightly insomniac and there overtired. I try to tell him that grumpiness isn't an excuse to be horrible to everyone ("shut up or I'll hit you," as he said told his grandmother) and violent with his sister.
He's happy academically at school, but (unsurprisingly) has few if any friends.
My 5-year-old dd, on the other hand, is the opposite; I almost never have to shout at her or punish her. My son hates her (which I think is a big component to his anger).
Anyway he's driving me mental, and to tears. . .I don't know what to do. Does anyone else?