how do you handle talking back?

toadnfrog

DS is only 3, but has lately been getting fresh in that he will forever retort back when I ask him to do something, etc.  I can't stand it, but I find myself getting into a pissing contest with him which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid!  Is it just a stage?  Do I put remove him from the situation (put him in room, timeout, etc.)   I have this huge fear of having a bratty kid that has no respect.  Where IS that parenting manual when you need it????   

KrisBriMcBunny

I backhand her!   just kidding lol  I tell her we dont talk like that and give her a warning....she does it again she goes in a timeout.  However timeouts arent working too good with the sassing so now I'm gonna take away her most prized possession....her blankie.  She will get it back at either naptime or bedtime whichever comes first.

goodheartedmommy

Be consistent. I'm constantly reminding my kids that we need to use nice words or respectful words. Kids are smart and it doesn't take long for them to figure it out. They remind me to use my nice words, too I find that it generally only takes asking them to be kind. If they cannot use nice words, though, they need to remove themselves from the room. I certainly will not allow them to stand there and talk to me like that, so if they find they can't talk nicely, they can go to their room and say whatever they want until they are ready to come out and be kind.

mlm1128

DD is what my mother refers to as "a thick headed little Italian with her own opinions" so sassing is second nature.  I used to get mad and get in a pissing contest with her as well.  Once I started to just tell her she can't talk to me that way if she expects me to listen it eased up.  I literally ignore her after the second warning. It took weeks and weeks of being consistent with it, but now it takes one time and she improves.  I won't lie, in the beginning it sometimes got to the point of a full melt down when I actually ignored her but it's been worth it in the long run.

Bellisimo

First, don't get into a pissing match with her.  Firmly correct her and let her know that being respectful is non negotiable in that it's the ONLY acceptable behavior/response you'll accept from her.  If she insists on continuing the back talking then take away privileges or favorite toys....but don't carry on with her back and forth giving her more opportunities to talk back.  There has to be an undesirable consequence for unacceptable behavior.  I always explain to him WHY we don't talk like that....because at this age they truly don't get it. 

femmegem

I basically tell him we don't talk that way and then let him know he won't get whatever he wants if he speaks to me that way. I will also very calmly ask him if he needs to go to his room for awhile to be alone because I don't want to be around him if he's going to talk like that. Usually just asking him if he needs to go up to his room for awhile makes him stop immediately. If he doesn't, I follow through and put him in his room for awhile. He always stops after that.

I try not to react by getting upset because I don't want to give him encouragement to keep speaking to me that way.