Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

Welcome to real parenthood! He's an adolescent. He's beginning to think, decide, and choose for himself, right or wrong. Part of him is wanting/expecting to be treated like an adult and have more say in things, but of course it doesn't happen overnight. Another part of him may be looking for boundaries - boundaries he can stretch, manipulate, challenge....

This is one of the epic battles waged in every generation since the dawn of time. (Yes, I know there are kids who somehow missed all this and were complete angels through puberty, but that's rare.)

It's the Parent/Child/Adult (transactional analysis) power struggle at work.

Growing up is a learning experience for both child and parent. There's support/help out there for this too, but like everything else on the internet (or in books, on TV... wherever....), there's going to be good and bad advice/counsel.

Doc