LO's that talk back

Klmorgan83

Is anyone else dealing with this?  I'm not sure how much of it is because of the new baby or how much of it is just him being two...but I'm losing my mind! 

Noah pretty much spends his entire day arguing with us.  We'll tell him something and it's always "I can't do that" or "no way kid" (I have no idea where he got that one!)  He seriously has some comeback for everything we say. He does it to us, my parents, my siblings...everyone.  I do my best to stay calm, but in my sleep deprived state, and DH always being at work, I have snapped at him a few times. 

I have no idea what to do to get through to him.   Multiple times a day we sit down and have a talk about how he has to be good and listen to Mommy and Daddy and how talking back isn't nice.  But it literally goes in one ear and out the other because 5 minutes later he'll start again.  It's so frustrating.  We do timeouts but it doesn't seem to help at all. 

Someone please tell me that I don't have the only child like this!

 

sistrkate

I think it's probably a combination of age and a new little brother.  Justin talks back all.the.time.  He is a real smart aleck now that he knows lots of words, too.  He tells us NO, he crosses his arms and walks away, he also likes to use the words "stupid' and "poopy butt" among a few choice others that I'm sure he learned at school.

Nothing works for us either.  Timeout is terribly ineffective for talking back and I have no idea what else to try.

warriormomerin

It's funny that you posted this since I just asked my mom tonight if it's normal for someone DS' age to talk back so much. O's latest is "Blah, blah, blah. I hate you."

Timeout hasn't been working for us either. He seems to really want me to respond so I've been ignoring him, but I'm not sure it's making that much of a difference. Between my smart a$$ six year-old and DS, I'm ready to pull my hair out.

kel716

I agree with sistrkate- combo of age + baby brother.

I do think that telling B what to expect helps.  Things like "we're going to eat dinner and after dinner we'll go outside" That way the expectations are laid out ahead of time... it seems to cut down on the arguments.  The other thing we've done is give LOTS of "responsibilities" around the house even if it takes for.ev.er.  He helps put stuff in the microwave (opens the door, puts the plate inside the microwave, closes the door, sets the time "1 - 2 - 0" for 1:20, hits start, etc...).  He helps me make things in the kitchen... like rice or veggies, or putting stuff on the baking sheet, etc..  He helps with laundry, the alarm code, etc...  If he is doing it, he is less likely to act out because he wants to be a "big boy"  If it's something that I have to do (like take hot food out of the oven), I'll tell him things like "I'm going to take this out but once it's out you can do ___ (something safe)" 

I hope that makes sense... not sure if it helps you or not. 

hav2run

Helllllooooo terrific threes.  We are hitting them early here too.  The backtalk is normal.  So are the tantrums and the incessant questions.  It is exhausting.  I walk away after telling her to use her happy talk with me.  She hates that, so I get a full on meltdown.  I just go do something while she throws a fit in her play room. Iknow she is safe, so I just let her be until she chills.  Lately, that is taking FOREVER, which is super annoying, but I would rather use my energy to praise good behavior, instead of fighting the meltdowns.  If she argues, we just tell her how it is, and tell her to let us know when she is ok with what mom or dad says.  It isn't long until we get a "I am sorry, mom (or Dad), for  whatever she said. I hug her and move on.  The meltdowns and tantrums are really really testing me, though.  I know we have months of it ahead of us.  Stinks!  I hope it gets better for you soon!

Kle2922

Ashlyn is doing a whole lot of this too. She'll make this evil face while she tells me to go do it myself. She is definitely testing us a lot these days.I sometimes think a small devil has taken over her body:) 

As others mentioned, if the behavior persists after I ask her to stop she gets shut in a room.  This is enough torture for her, she screams and yells and then eventually calms down and her behavior changes.  We also take things away, like her favorite toy for the rest of the night, or glow moon on the wall. That seems to be effective also.  Good luck, i know how trying it can be at times.