Still moving in a new direction

[mleigh4]

Ok. I am going to ask your take on TM I just got from H. I honestly don't know what to say to him, I don't experience these situations with S, or possibly, don't react the way H does? I don't know if this is just anger playing out with S as it is with everyone else.....

"Well, I feel like a dummy for trying so hard to get S present. It came, he opened it and was excited. I said read the instructions and see what it will do. (BTW, it is a Minecraft game band. It's a bracelet band that saves the game so he is able to connect it and play on any computer. Honestly, I was surprised H got this, being so anti-game) He didn't want to take the time to read the instructions because he was in the middle of playing a game...I said....you have to do certain things for it to work and I don't understand all the Mine craft worlds and servers. He just said that he doesn't play minecraft on anything but his computer. I asked if he wanted me to return it? He got up and started playing his game again!!! If you don't see how lazy, spoiled and rude that reaction is, then that is an issue we will need to bring up at the session. The games he plays is all that he cares about and would rather not have a gift then read the instructions on how to use it. It takes him away from a game for too long! I am so disappointed and hurt by what just happened. There's not much that makes him happy unless it involves actually playing a game. That really makes me sad. He sees that I was hurt by his reaction and hes acting like he could care less...Needless to say I am returning his gift."

He just added...

"Things are going to change for him when hes here as far as game time, chores and being outside for at least a little while. I have to at least teach him some responsibility and to appreciate something other than an electronic screen. Even if he thinks I'm being mean, which I don't expect him to understand or like...I would rather him see me as the strict parent than grow up with this attitude and no sense of responsibility."

"I have not responded but am thinking something like, I am sorry this happened, definitely something to talk about at the session." And that is it! Not getting sucked back into a fight with him.

I see H point, I do understand he is hurt, but what 9 year old wants to be given a set of instructions to read? I would have read them together with him...IDK. I want your honest opinion, is S just being a normal kid and H making a mountain out of a molehill? Sounds like S is being disrespectful for sure, but that is something between S and H to work out as I am no longer around when this stuff happens....

Is this really caused by me not having S do a bunch of chores? What exactly does H want from me??? S and I get along just fine, however, I do not throw many demands at him...

Your thoughts please???