UUUugggghhhhh. Why do they defy like that? Sounds to me like Zach might be in store for a laptop's worth of chores. My 7 year old DD was really being defiant over the past few months as well, we had long chats about how we have rules so that people and things don't get hurt. Despite our chats, she decided she would not mind and regardless of several warnings on the day in question about how she was playing, she ended up hurting herself (not bad, just scratches and a bit of a bruise). It was one of those parenting moments when you can see the potential for an accident happening, but not a dangerous activity and so only a warning, not stopping them, is indicated (she was chasing the puppy around on her hands and feet and her hand went out from under her and she gave herself a bit of rug burn on her nose). We had the chat again. Things are a bit better now. She is one of those kids who has to test the boundries to see if they are really there or not and don't necessarily understand that we really do have their best interests in mind. I feel your parenting frustration. New puppy and young children, a mixed blessing at times.
