hello

To me, obviously somthing did work for sometime, you may have to think hard what it was. However in the mean time one thing is very important, and that is no matter where you send a child for a 'time out', the effectiveness of the 'time out' is the timing. In other words 1minute per year of age, and  the understanding of why? the 'time out'.

Second, the behavour at school may be dealt by not allowing him to interact with this 'best friend', either in school or out of school, talk to the teachers or Principal. Break that chain of bad behavour.

Al the best

I wrote an article here a few weeks ago called Effective method of discipline.  Try that and see if it works.  The most important things is to NOT let him see he is getting to you.

also, sending him to his room where he can keep himself busy playing is not really much of a punishment.  I would either put him somewhere else or tell him to sit on his bed and contemplate his behaviour and why he is being sent there.

I did read years ago though that sending kids to their rooms as punishment is soemtimes not a good idea as bed shuld be a happy and calming place and not equated with punishment.  Having said that, I HAVE sent my kids to their rooms, but they are NOT allowed to play and are allowed out only when they can tell me why they were sent there, and make appropriate, meaningful apologies.

If they come out and say "Yeah, Sorrr-rreeyyy in a smart tone - that is NOT ok.  If they say "Yeah, I know why I went there" that is also not sufficient.

If he gets pocket money then consider withdrawing a certain amount each time he hurts his brother or plays up unecessarily.

sometimes kids need a real wake up to modify their behaviour - but not by way of shaming them as this damages their self confidence.  But at 10 he knows very well what is acceptable and what is not.  Has he been like this for long, or is it new behaviour?

Is there anything that could be triggering it such as self esteem or bullying at school?