My kid is becoming a smart mouth!!!!

[lovinlife4]

:hairout :groan :crying


Any advice!!

[Brookejayde]

Duct tape? :pound

I have the same problem with my teen. I told her when she learns to use her mouth with appropriate respect due to me (mom), is when her mouth will be listened to again. Then I take my hearing aids out. (deaf) You could put ear plugs in? :idunno Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[Rinji]

Sorry, when I think of smart mouth, I think of pain. Because mom would slap my mouth (so it didn't take me long to learn!)
Thus the term "smart mouth", it smarts when you mouth off.

I only can see ignoring working if the underlying reason is they want attention. Otherwise, it isn't going to work too well.

I know my mother wasn't one to spank a lot and always made sure I took others feelings into account, even when I was really young, so I didn't misbehave all too often. But if I did something totally out of line, and got smacked for it, then It was more like a shock than anything, and it snapped away the thought of doing it again.

I think the trick is not too do it to often, but if a new problem starts, nip it in the bud before they begin or complete the action.

If your child is old enough, you can talk to them about it.. let them know you don't smart off to them, and that doesn't mean they can smart off to you.
And what you tell them may seem unfair, but that is because you love them. And that what they are going through isn't any different than any person their age in the past and everyone has to wait until they are old enough to make their own decisions.

Other than those two options, there isn't much else I can think of. Just be aware of who their friends are, maybe they see that behavior at a friends house. If you have seen those TV shows with out of control kids, and push over parents, you'll know what I am talking about.

[Lisa in OK]

Well, when my kiddo smarts off to me, I just look at him like this ::::puts on REAL serious expression::: and then hold it for a few seconds. But then, my kiddo is only 8. This will probably lose it's effect when he becomes a teenager. The only advice I have is to not let him/her ever get away with it even one time.

[abidinginvine]

I heard a discussion on Focus on the Family today in which problems such as this were addressed. The guest speaker was Dr. Kevin Leman, and his book is titled "Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child's Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days." by Dr. Kevin Leman. Sounds like it would be a good read!

[lovinlife4]

Well, when my kiddo smarts off to me, I just look at him like this ::::puts on REAL serious expression::: and then hold it for a few seconds. But then, my kiddo is only 8. This will probably lose it's effect when he becomes a teenager. The only advice I have is to not let him/her ever get away with it even one time.

Yeah, my kiddo is 8 too! Maybe it's in the water. I got the belt or soap when I was a kid. I've tried soap and I smacked him mouth once but on it continues. It started getting really bad about 1 week ago. I don't know if it's because school os about to start and he thinks it's cool to smart off...I'm struggling with getting this stopped. I will not raise a disrespectful child! And I do not want my younger 2 thinking it's okay!!!!!:tsk

[ZAGS]

Whenever he smarts off, take something away, like his nintendo, computer, etc. When he gets angry about that, tell him he obviously doesn't respect you or the things you do for him, so you are taking away the things you have done for him. I don't have kids, so this may sound really lame, but part of his behaviour may be coming from these things.

[lovinlife4]

I took away his Nintendo DS last night and he cannot play with his "buddies" today. So far, after a long talk about disrespect, it's been a decent day...

[His Bride]

Heavy sigh. Been there, done that. It never gets any easier. You must stand your ground, expect respect, make the punishment fit the crime, and always have something to hold over them. Other than that, love them a lot but let them know that it is not okay. With time they move out and things can improve. I'm still waiting for my 20year old to see his transgressions...may be waiting a couple more years, I'm afraid.

[lyngraphics]

Well, when my kiddo smarts off to me, I just look at him like this ::::puts on REAL serious expression::: and then hold it for a few seconds. But then, my kiddo is only 8. This will probably lose it's effect when he becomes a teenager. The only advice I have is to not let him/her ever get away with it even one time.

ahhhhh... here in my family, that is called The Look! :nod