Is it just us?

Ok so from day one Cody and I agreed that we needed to have rules for Wyatt at our house. We started really young of what he could and could not do. As he got older we made these rules clear to him and age appropriate. As he got older we kept the same rules just maybe adapted them to be age appropriate it. It has not always been easy let me tell you. When you only see him every other weekend and every other holiday makes it really hard to not let the little things slide. There were some weekends when that is all we did was punish him for breaking "the rules". Through it all we kept each others hopes up that this is what we should be doing. This is what is best for Wyatt and for the whole family. We had not only issues with Wyatt and him being in trouble a lot and the fear that he would not want to come see us but we had some family members against what we were doing as well. They thought that he was special and we should "understand" why he acts the way he does. While we totally understood that Wyatt was in total control of how he was acting and could tell you right off the bat that what he was going was wrong. So with all of that against us we kept our rules and that brings me to my question today.

Hollie (Wyatt's mother) has recently asked Cody point blank how we control Wyatt while he is at our house. Cody simply told her we have rules and he is expected to follow those rules. He knows if he doesn't there will be consequences. Apparently she cannot control him or get him to do anything for her. This is something we had figured out a long time ago but Wyatt is a smart kid and figured out that I can get away with it at mommy's house but not at daddy's. He quickly learned the rules for our house and follows them accordingly. NOW does that mean he is a perfect kid all the time. HECK NO he is just like every other kid that pushes the boundaries every so often to see what he can get away with. When he figures out that he cannot win he gives up and everything is back to normal. Research says that kids need boundaries they need to be told NO and know what they can and cannot do. So here is my question:


Did we do the right thing by having the rules at our house?

We think so. Wyatt still is excited to see us every time we pick him up. He sometimes walks away from his mother and doesn't even say good bye. He loves us no different and we can still have lots of fun. It has also helped with Hunter growing up. Wyatt helps him understand the rules and it helps keep both boys safe while playing. Now we understand Wyatt is almost 6 and Hunter is only 2 so Hunter might get by with some things that Wyatt does not but that is only because of their age. This is something we still battle every day with family and their different points of view. Wyatt is no different to us. We love him and treat him the same as if he would be here all the time. He knows our love and compassion whether he is here or not.

What do you think: Have we done right or wrong?