Siblings

So- I do not want to set up a deeper rivalry between my children than would naturally exist.

AND I struggle to be fair.

When the boy asks to go to a friend's house with 2 other boys, I say "Call me when you get there"  He forgets, but does eventually call.  I say "Be home by 6:30 and call before you leave <friend's> house" 

At 6:38 I call another one of the boys' cell phone, and say "Can I talk to Brady?" "Oh, he's not here" So I go to the park and there he is.  Without shoes.  He hasn't called, he hasn't checked in, and he has no shoes on.

So, I ask him why I would be upset, after explaining these 3 points to him.  He replies "Because I didn't do what I was supposed to do"

Well- good enough.  So you can go to your room for the rest of the evening with no ipod.

Keep in mind, I alkso asked him if his chores were done, to which he said yes. So we walked over and LOW and BEHOLD, no- not done.  Trash not taken out, of course.

Contrast that with the girl who asks me before school "Can I sweep the floor after breakfast so I don't have to do it after school?" and empties the dish washer without being asked.  Who gets straight A's and is completely responsible.

HOW do I, from the Boy's perspective, not be "Nicer" to her?  I mean- I have no REASON to say anything buy "yes" when she asks for permission to do something, yet it's really like the Spanish Inquisition when he asks to go to a friend's house, then he still doesn't handle it right and he gets in trouble.

I see where he's coming from, but I also don't feel like I'm being extra tough on him.

What's a dad to do...