Yes, I'm definitely having flashbacks as I read your experiences and Crisc's! Both issues seem most probably to be tied to lack of sufficient challenge to me. (Though, as always, I could be wrong!) I'm hoping that the principal's presence is a good sign.

Reasons help my kids, too, JBDad. "Because I said so" is just not something I would ever say because that would cause so many more problems than it would solve! And honestly, I have a hard time faulting a kid for that. It wouldn't satisfy me to get that response; why would I think it would satisfy a child?

Kriston