Last night dd (11) was doing her homework. Ds (13) who likes to stick his nose in everything and winds up the younger dc lots, went to see what she was doing so dd pulled the (school's) laptop screen down to hide her work, ds pulled it up forceably and the screen has shattered.
Ds often shurks responsibility. Last night he knew he was wrong to interfere the look on his face said it all. I was furious, laptops were distributed at beginning of this term only 4 weeks ago.
I have confiscated his electronics as punishment. I told him he has to pay for the repair and has accepted this. He apologised to dd- after being told to do so. He had a shout last night in his room, kicked a pile of old stuff then claimed he can "never do anything right in this house which is untrue, he's often praised for being so mature and reliable, this is him finding a scapegoat.
Today I am going to a friend's for lunch, Dr and younger dc are coming, ds said yesterday he didn't want to come which is fine. (We are off school today as the heating is not working btw)
I just went up to his room to chat and he's playing his guitar. I sat on the bed next to him and asked how he is, what's he doing today, does he need anythi g from town, does he want breakfast and this was all met with silence. I'll say goodbye and probably be gone 2 hours.
Do I just ride with the silence? How would you punish the situation?