Quote Originally Posted by Irulan View Post
I am really floored to hear that some of you find this acceptable. Wow. Just because they can be really obnoxious doesn't mean you have to accept it.
.
The kid isn't allowed to be obnoxious. But he does have thoughts and feelings of his own. How he expresses those feelings is what we *can* direct. Accept that your child is forming himself, step back and allow it. Be the heavy, be the stupid, be boring and predictable. Be the anchor, but realize that he will drift according to his own currents. Be a good and solid anchor and hold fast through his storms. (you don't have to move at his urging, and you don't have to pull him in tight, you just have to be there as solid and dependable as you can be. Realize that this storm will pass.)

I like the "love and logic" series. Took a couple of the classes, too. Highly recommend them.