Now, I'm going to need help with the NO DS for 2weeks! I always give in half way through, he starts behaving, and looks at me with those sweet eyes! But this time, enoughs enough! send me your support, and tell me i'm not mean :-(
I understand why 'I hate you' bothers you, but why does it bother you if you get called mean? To him, taking away the DS is mean, that is why you did it... you know it is something that will bother him. He says mean things to you in response because he knows it bothers you. You just have to be the meaner/ stronger one. You know that these punishments are for the good of everyone in the house in the long run, there is a purpose for being mean. Don't give the DS back, don't show him that you are upset by his words. This time you have to follow through. I am with Tinks... no emotional discussions until his 2 weeks is up.

I don't have big kids of my own yet, but I teach highschool so know about bad tween/ teen behaviour. I find that discussing with kids what they feel is a suitable consequence for their behaviours is a good way to stop the arguments. If they do __________, then such and such happens. If they do it again then something a bit tougher happens etc. If they have had a role in deciding the consequences then they really have no comebacks. And it isn't always about how serious the consequence is, just the certainty that it will happen.