Younger Boy had one of those days today where he was really struggling with following directions.  He was choosing over and over again not to be helpful while cleaning the boy's room yet if anyone else touched his stuff he would complain.

He decided to just lay on his bed and observe everyone working for a while.  He decided to go in the basement and pretend to be working there.  He decided to play around with his phone until he lost the privilege of having it.

He sat in a chair in the living room and cried.  He asked Middle Boy to intercede for him.  He went in the basement and talked to himself about how stupid the whole thing was.  He refused to eat dinner.  He claimed to have a headache.  He cried some more.

After a while he realized I was serious about the behaviors and being part of the family.  He came to me and said "I'm sorry about all of the things I did this afternoon."  There were real crocodile tears and a rare showing of remorse.

Prayers he can connect behaviors and consequences.

Praises for apologies and starting new each day.  Just the way God does with us.