Have to keep making the changes

[roist]

I like the story you copied. I have read it before. Good to see another perspective than our own.

I replied a long reply to your parenting Q but lost it somehow. In a nutshell do what you feel if just regardless of the reaction of your w and son. Stop living in fear of reactions.

Only you can decide if you think it is excessive. Make that decision and then inform both W and son of your view as man of the house.

Such punishments should be stated as con sequences of decisions and not as punishments. The difference being son knows in advance that if he decides to not clean his room fully, he cannot go. His decision his consequence.

I understand cutting him some slack and he surely is feeling some affect of your M situation, but being a good dad isn't always being on his side.