Well, what a day.  DH went off to the VW nationals at some ridiculous hour this morning and we were up late preparing a stall - starting teh day tired did not help.

Chatted with R over breakfast - "we are going to church this morning, what kind of behaviour do we expect at church?", offered an incentive for good behaviour (taking his new bike to the park).  This used to work, but now I get "well you should not take me to church as I am good at being noisy and it is not fair to ask me to be quiet".  mmmmm....  Discussed it further, got there and the behaviour was atrocious.  I did not want to give him the satisfaction of being taken outside and i was on my own so just put up with it - getting very angry, mind you.  So, we did not go to teh park and the only reason he got morning tea was that he helped clean up.  The trouble is that he is leading B by example, so I have 2 naughty children - not one!

Then we got home, and he tipped out more things - made him pick them up.  The trouble is his sister is now doing it and doesn't seem to understand picking things up afterwards, so it seems unfair.  They messed up my room - which I hate!  Then they stripped all their clothes off in the middle of winter and went running around naked!

Then this afternoon he has been beautiful - so well behaved, quiet, affectionate and helpful.  He even commented to me that he started the day badly but then had been good this afternoon, but could not tell me why - his only excuse was that we should go to the park before church.  Interesting idea - except we are always running late as it is.

So, I am just trying to work out what is going on - why the misbehaving and the disobedience and defiance, when I know he can be the most lovely child.  Next question is what to do about it - this week I have yelled at him, reasoned with him, encouraged good behaviour, sent him to his room, taken toys away from him etc...  But nothing seems to impact him. Why? Where has my beautiful boy gone?  How do I get him back?