Learning to Trust Myself

[Burgbud]

Kid disrespects you next time, and you say to H, "Well, don't just sit there like a lump! Your son just disrespected me. When are you finally going to do something about it?!!!"

Er...I'd be a little uncomfortable with that. You need to address the disrespect directly with your son. S4 needs to understand that you're every bit the authority figure that H is, and it's not just dad that he needs to listen to. H needs to back you up, therefore you and he need to come to the understanding that simple courtesy is important for kids to learn, and S4 should respond civilly to any greetings he may receive, most especially ones from you. If H has the position that S4 shouldn't have to do anything he doesn't feel like doing then you've got a long row to hoe. And please say H doesn't tell you you're being unreasonable right at that moment in front of S4. Sometimes it's okay for parents to disagree on discipline issues in front of the kids, but not in such a simple case as this.