Parenting Woes

My boys are so different!

One is compliant. One is a challenge.
One is easy to please. One is not.
One believes everything we say. One does not.

We are walking through a rough time with One. Hubby says we need to change our parenting strategy. I assumed that when we began to homeschool, we would see a difference in this One. I have been disappointed that the changes haven't been as dramatic as I had hoped for. He is very opinionated and seems to enjoy challenging our authority. I fear that we aren't consistent enough in our disciplinary actions. Parenting is so hard!

I want him to be able to express his opinions, but I don't want him to have a know-it-all attitude. Usually, when we say something, he disagrees, and will continue to disagree in every way possible, until we finally percieve him as being argumentative and disrespectful.

I remember last year when we began to home school, he was a reluctant learner. He pushes books away, he dawdles, he daydreams, he mopes, he makes noises, he distracts his brother. We would have moments of wonderful learning, where he was engaged and happy. But the majority of the time I felt like he could care less about learning, and that he was not putting forth his best effort in his work. He was simply doing it to get it done, so he could get away and play.

He has no inner motivation to learn. I take him to the library and he grabs a few books because it is expected of him, then he's ready to get out of there. It is so frustrating! All of the things I love, he seems to hate. Did the public school do this to him? Will I ever see a change?

I definitely need to pray over him, and often. Any other advice that you experienced mothers have will be greatly appreciated!

Troubled, but rejoicing anyway....
Marla