Connor (age 9) ...
Connor crouches down like a cat with its back raised and teeth bared and began clawing at Josh’s leg. We thought it was funny at first, but then Connor meows loudly and says, “you will not come out alive”.
A 9yo? That's behavior I'd expect from a 3yo.
Carol laughs it off, saying she told us he was gifted.
Gifted at being a pain perhaps; I didn't see any evidence that he has any gifts beyond that.
Connor comes out of feline mode, stands up, looks around and says, “I believe everyone in this room is fat”. Carol tells Connor to pipe down. Connor says, “fat like you Carol”, then punches her in her stomach.
His mother? He called his mother fat
and hit her? In most households, even those that are badly parented, that would result in consequences that would be uncomfortable at least.
Connor takes a sweeping bow his with arm behind his back and says, “my apologies, dear woman”. Carol turned to me and said, “see, he’s gifted with acting”.
So are psychopaths and sociopaths. The ability to hit someone and then be charming right away is not a good sign. Besides, smarmy isn't acting. Or, perhaps it is and Carol is more observant than we might think. Being nice
is acting for this child. Acting in the sense of playing a role that isn't what you normally are.
I told her I didn’t know how to measure that in a child, “but he’s something”.
Good response. Shorthand for "something awful," I'm sure.
Carol asked Jessie if Josh could come to their house to hang out with Connor. Jessie said she will get back to her. Carol will ask repeatedly, we know this. Now, Jessie feels she is in a bind and wants to know what she can tell Carol to stop her from asking. Does Jessie use a tub of bean dip or just say she is not comfortable with Josh spending time in their house with Connor?
Be busy. Be very, very busy.
One other thing happened – Carol’s husband comes over and tells Carol to get a move on, she has spent too much time in the food line, as usual. Connor laughs and he and his dad walk off.
Something about apples and trees?