Parenting Question - (off topic)
I'd like to get some objective opinions about a disipline questions with my son. Ever since he came home from his fathers house Sunday night he has had the worst attitude - he has a smart mouth and argues with everything I say. So he didn't get any stars on his behavior chart this week due to his bad attitude. I promised he could have a friend over to play today after school - of course he begged for a sleepover. So I told him yesterday after school he could have his friend sleepover on 3 conditions - one was no smart mouth or giving me attitude the other stipulation was that they must behave when his friend is here. Well of course last night he gave me his smart mouth a couple of times and I told him no sleepover - he begged and I told him this morning I would let his friend stay over but only because I had already arranged it with his mother and it wasn't fair to dissapoint his friend - but there will be no more sleepovers or play dates until the attitude improves.
Okay, today they were pretty good - they played fairly well together until it was time to leave to go to the movie - then the smart mouth reared it's ugly head. I gave him a warning. He did it again. So I told him he would not be going to the boy scout outing on Sunday which is to see an ice hockey game. He begged, etc. and I told him to drop it or I am taking his friend home and no sleepover. He did drop it and has not brought it up for a while. NOw here is my question - I know I should follow through on my threat because otherwise I lose credibility - on the other hand this is a boy scout function which I hate for him to miss out on, plus they earn a badge for this which will complete all his requirements for tiger scouts and he can then move on to bobcats. IF he doesn't go to the game he is the only one who will not move on. And now the best part - his father is also planning on coming to the game so if we don't go I know he will throw a fit - not that I care what he thinks anyway. But he will use it against me with my son (ie: look how mean Mommy is she didn't let you go to the game, etc, etc). So what would you do in my position??? I really don't think I should let him go but......
Sorry this is so long!!!!!!!!!