Talking back---

Hi everyone. I need some advice. Our son who will be 4 in June has started to talk back to us when we correct him. If we tell him to do something he will say "no" or "you do it" etc. We have corrected him and sent him to time out, but I am so afraid that it is turning into a bad ugly habit now. We think it is coming from a child in preschool. We have heard a lot of stories about one certain kid who tells the teacher to "shut up" and he doesn't listen, etc. The last thing we want is a disrespectful 4 year old! This needs to be corrected asap! Any suggestions?

 

I give my sassy mouth kids vinegar. I put some in a syringe, and just touch the tip to their tongues. They hate it. And that syringe sits by the sink so when they start acting like they need it all I have to do is say, "the vinegar is right here" and it immediately turns into yes mommy and gets done. It's a perfectly harmless consequence.

 

My kids are too young to talk back yet, but my Mom took a toothbrush and rubbed it on soap and washed our mouth out.

 

Our kids don't have any negative outside influences and they already do some talking back. I have no advice, but please let us know if you find something that works.

 

My kids are only 1 so I'm not there yet. But I have many years experience as a kindergarten teacher. I know that's not the same thing as being a 24-hour-a-day parent by any means. But for me the solution was usually to remove the child from whatever pleasant thing was going on. If you can't be polite then you will NOT be watching TV with us now/doing this craft with us/playing with these toys/enjoying this cupcake, etc. Put the rude child somewhere completely NOT fun. Only polite, respectful people get to enjoy group situations. Plus, apologies for rudeness are a must.

 

I highly recommend you check this book out of the library:

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (Paperback)
by Adele Faber (Author), Elaine Mazlish (Author)


(or google it & buy online)