Deteriorating Relationship with DS1 - WWYD?
My DS1, H, is extremely bright and spirited, and is one of those kids Dr. Sears calls "high need". On the "How to Raise Your Spirited Child" book checklist, he's up there near the top.
I have read the books and taken professional advice on how to raise him, but I'm at the point where I'm starting to resent the way he's making me feel. I've just HAD it. He's only 6, but nothing I can do is right, he doesn't want to be around me, he only wants his father, who is not a disciplinarian.
So I'm drawing away from him, I can feel it and I'm sure he can, too.
Today, though, he was disrespectful and rude enough to me - twice, as if once wasn't enough - that I blew at him once and at DH twice. This is not regular behavior for me, and I'm not very happy with myself, but I did manage to keep a civil tongue in my head even as I described exactly what I saw that was wrong.
I think he's angry at all the time I have to give to DS2, who's 2. I know he doesn't like it that I make him toe the line with behavior.
But we used to have a good relationship. We used to have love between us, and I feel just bereft that this seems to be going away.
Any suggestions? And please, be gentle with me. I am trying very very hard, with a difficult child, and am really cut up about what's going on. This is also having a negative effect on my relationship with DH.
Family therapy?