Hi Sabrina...

Raising kids... you'll get a lot of advice in this department huh.

I understand though how you feel. He did something knowing he shouldn't have and threw around the "sorry" as if it doesn't mean anything.

My son started to do that. Would easily say sorry and then onto asking for something. He blatently didn't mean his sorry and that would be frustrating.

I agree with what desirea said about reprimanding and punishment on the spot or it's lost, but also at 8 there is only so many seconds they are listening to what you have to say.

The more you go on and on ... they are tuning you out. It's natural. A child doesn't really have the capacity to or the want to hear when a parent is so disappointed and angry for a great length of time.

One trick I learned when i really wanted him to hear what I had to say ... I'd say it really low and firmly.

I have rules such as yours and I don't deny my son at all. He is not allowed to go in and eat whatever he wants. He has to ask.

He would eat whatever...whenever and as much as he wanted. Not really making the best choices. It's just the way it is and I have to be especially careful because he has a heart condition and many other health issues.

I try to make decisions that are going to be best for my son as I'm sure you and most parent try to do.

You as a parent are trying to do the best you can and you can tell you love your son very much and you want to do the right thing.

It's good you can vent here and let it out.

That's my 2cents too.

I hope you are feeling better.