Difficult Decisions

Alex likes turning off the washing machine in mid-cycle so that he can hear the series of beeps as it turns off.  Given that I am usually trying to run at least 2 to 3 loads throughout the day, it's been a source of frustration to us. 

This morning I could see that he wanted to press the buttons, so I warned him that if he did then he would not be able to go to Cosmic Adventures this morning.  He immediately ran to the washer and pushed the buttons.

I don't like having to take away big things but I can't let this kind of direct defiance pass.  Threatening to remove little privileges has not helped and even putting a big privilege on the line only has a 50-50 shot at stopping him.  He is not happy about it and I've gotten a lot of headbanging and screaming in response.

I don't know why he's so obsessed with the washer.  We've tried giving him sanctioned opportunities to work it but that ended up strengthening the obsession.  We've tried loss of little privileges, but the buttons are self-rewarding.  He's too quick to physically stop and I don't have a door over my washer and dryer, only a curtain.

He's been more and more argumentative and oppositional over the last few days.  I don't know if I've been cutting him too much slack or if he's getting upset over the upcoming transition back to school.  Either way, it's meant he's not pleasant to try and work and live with.