Joey had a good day today; and a bloody awful day yesterday.  I think that we underestimate how change is disruptive to him, and how big the difference is between the wonderful time thaat he imagines having with Alex and then the reality.  Which is good but not always what Joey imagines and then he gets upset.  We also think that that Alex's presence leads to great insecurity.  The result is bad behaviour and over-reaction which leads to us always getting on his case and nagging him and a vicious circle.  Then Anne comforts him in bed and has asks her why we ever chose to have such a horrible child and it breaks our hearst and we do better and he does better.  It is always a fine balancing line with Joey in getting is confidence and security up whilst insisting on good standards of behaviour. 
But today was good.  He was chuffeed at how well he did at water-skiing, amongst other things.  I made sure to put an arm around him on occasion.  We did let a few minor things slide.  And he had  agreat day - full of energy, funny, affectionate - the real Joey.