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I'm still in shock over what my almost four year old said to me last night. We took her to the park and she was back talking me when we got out of the car. I can't even remember what she said. I told her, "You don't speak to your mother that way!" She looked at me with a mean look on her face and said "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." I couldn't put her in time out fast enough. THough her dad said he had put her in time out 3 times already that day.

I don't even know where she got that from. Is this normal at that age? I WAS SO MAD. I kept thinking if she is like this now, what is she going to be like at 15?

Bad news Kristin, either she is normal or all of the girls this age are afflicted. Macy has spent a lot more time recently on the 'naughty step' and even a few spanks on the butt for her mouth. I dont know exactly where all of it comes from, but I do know we have to get a handle on it NOW because I will not tolerate it.

In fact, she just now snatched a toy from Zane and when I told her to give it back to him, she yelled at me that he was to play with it "over there and not over here and I mean it!" so she got 3 pops on the butt and then off to the naughty step! Jeez!

I am having the same problem with Dalton. He is 3 and in Headsart. I love him being ins school and he likes it but its not only me he talks back to its to his teachers sometimes. And the thing that gets me is he knows he doing it. He has time out and things taken away but I just hope it gets better! So I know how you feel!

My problem is that his dad is not inthe house because we are divorced and the consitancy (sp) is not there. The worst time is when he gets home that Sunday. It takes ATLEAST 3 days to get him to not act so bad.

I am still shocked that I have as much hair as I do! And that I havent pulled it all out yet!

Elizabeth

It's been bad at our house recently. I think it's because the kids were out of "school" for 3 weeks, and with the excitement of Xmas, and Big A's bday, and company, and candy and schedules all messed up...we've all been exhausted, short-tempered and just awful. And we no more than got used to all that, then school started back up again yesterday for all 3 boys, and now that's another monkey wrench to handle. Last night was like a yell-a-thon at our house. Back-talking, attitude, no manners, won't go to bed, eating me out of house and home...we all need to just chill.

I have to say we sound like we are all in the same boat. Grace has been a handful with the backtalking and mouthyness too, AND she has started rolling her eyes!! I can't stand that!!

Oh Elizabeth, that is terrible. At least I have an effective co-parenter. I can't imagine the uphill battle you must be facing. I had a co-worker whose son would come home from his dad's and she'd say go brush your teeth and he's respond, "I don't have to brush my teeth at my daddy's house."

Well at least I know I'm not alone. I was so upset last night. I kept thinking what happened to my sweet little girl? I want her back but Michelle is right. WE've got to keep on top of this or we'll do our children no favors.

Holy cow do I know what you all are talking about. Not only do I get it from my 3yo, I also get it from the 5yo.

Remember, if we don't get a handle on this now (or at least soon) it will be even worse when they're teens.

J was definitely that way around age 3-5. I stuck to my guns and didn't let it fly. It's gotten MUCH better. At age 8, she still rolls her eyes on occasion and will mumble under her breath when she's really mad. All I really do now is call her out on it unless she says something directly to me. All of us are entitled to disagree and even be angered by what someone else says. It's the way they handle it that I think is most important. And that's really what I'm trying to instill in J. That I'm the parent and she's the child and what I say goes.

Me, too!!!!!!! He's 3-1/2 and I told him today he sounded like he was a 13 yr. old! To make it worse, he has starting hitting when he is mad and having crying/whining tantrums - neither of which he did when he was in his "not so terrible now that I look back at it" 2's!

Maybe there's some awful virus going around that causes snotty behavior instead of snotty noses!

Caryn, you assume we - or they - will live that long if this behavior continues....LOL

Thank goodness! I thought I was the only one dealing with a smart-mouthed 4 year old! We also have been suffering from too-much-time-at-home-itis. Thankfully school is back in session. Although I'm sure some of the choice phrases coming out of her mouth originated at school, because they certainly aren't said in our home.

all i can say is..........NOPE it doesn't get any better as they become teens

good luck ya'll
been there done that
-HBM-

HBM I am right there with you...I have both extremes in my house and sometimes it can be unbearable. One thing for sure there is always one girl with an 'issue' going on here!!!

But it's all part of being a parent...I love em just as much when they are mouthing off as I do when their all sugar and sweet!

Am I the only one that has to use massive mountains of restraint to keep from backhanding them?

NOPE

And the teens are even tougher....good thing I am not a violent person...