4 year old w/an attitude?

spicy-mustard

OMG O has totally gained an attitude in the past month.  The back talk is KILLING me.  For example, if I say "you know better" he'll say "NO YOU know better"!  He'll also say "you can't talk to me" when I'm trying to talk to him about something like, being nice to a friend.  I'm giving time outs, but really it's not changing the behavior!

SUGGESTIONS?!?!?  

tiki_t

I ask if they want a time out to go with that attitude and then I follow through. That's the only thing that seems to get through to mine. They aren't 4 yet but they are sure acting that way. If they stop reacting to the threat of a time out, I move to threatening to put their favorite toy on a time out.

2bearichards

We are dealing with the same thing here.  I tell him that if he continues with the back talk he will lose x, y or z (toy, movie in the car, etc.).  Seems to stop the action while it is happening, but he does continue it at other times.

I do think it is a phase, another time of them testing their limits.  Hang in there!!

KellyMRocks

Definately a 4 year old thing. Like R, we also tell him that boys who act like that don't get to watch TV. If it gets really bad I tell him he needs to go to his room because I don't ilke to be around rude people. 

AvaLikeLava

Is this the "effin fours" I've been hearing about?

dblhappiness

2bearichards:

We are dealing with the same thing here.  I tell him that if he continues with the back talk he will lose x, y or z (toy, movie in the car, etc.).  Seems to stop the action while it is happening, but he does continue it at other times.

I do think it is a phase, another time of them testing their limits.  Hang in there!!

Ditto this.  

mommy2jay

I dont have any suggestions, i just wanted to say I feel your pain!  Jay is doing the same thing right now.  Especially the NO YOU know better, or NO YOU pick up your stuff... argh, it makes me so frustrated.

Im looking forward to seeing what everyone says!

Mrs.K&C

DD is two and does this. And I don't think it's a phase, I think it might be her personality. And I'm scared. Very scared.

SweetieP

OMG - I'm so glad you posted this!  I thought for sure that Ryan was just the only kid being a jerk ALL.THE.TIME!   I almost cried on the way home from the park today because of his behavior.    He succeeded in losing 3 of his favorite toys and ALL tv for today.

spicy-mustard

Well it's true, misery does love company, because I feel MUCH better after hearing that other's are in the trenches with me!  That's why I love and miss this board so much!!!

"EFFN 4s!"  That cracked me up!

I think I will start taking away items, since he's in up to 4 time outs a day and really doesn't seem to care about it.

I also liked Kelly's going to your room b/c I don't like being around rude behavior.  I'll try that too!

 Thanks ladies--you ROCK!