On a more serious note ...

Thank you for all your supportive comments regarding the problems we're having with K. I'm pleased to report it looks like we're getting somewhere. The MOTH and I had an appointment with his shrink last week after we had spoken to the school. In light of the comments from school, after school care and our concerns, we finally have some answers.

K has Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). Specifically :-

"A pattern of negative, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least 6 months, during which at least four of the following are present :-
- often loses temper
- often argues with adults
- often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules
- often deliberately annoys people
- often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
- is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
- is often angry and resentful
- is often spiteful or vindictive"

We answered "Yes" to seven of the above eight criteria. He is also being tested (thoroughly this time) for ADD and ADHD as apparently they usually go hand in hand.

Neither the MOTH nor I had ever heard of ODD before, and obviously we still have a lot to learn about how to manage with it. But giving it a name, and knowing that it isn't us, that it isn't something we've done, and that it isn't just K being a brat has lifted a huge burden off us.

So the good news is we have an answer. The "bad" news if you like is that there isn't a quick fix ... we can't just give him a pill and make it all go away. There are no drugs for ODD ...

The MOTH and I are now enrolled in a parenting class specifically targeted at parents of children with "challenging behaviours" ... and after one class we are already making changes to our home life. It's all good so far ... and K hasn't had a single detention since ...

I'll keep you posted :)