Smarty Pants 9 year old

[AmyinKY]

I tell my children all the time "You do not have to right out loud all the time. But, you can be correct everytime silently." Meaning, you can be correct every single time and have the last word all you want, just don't say it out loud.

My 16dd and 13ds went through a phase that they each had to have the last word. Drove me and my husband nuts. We still have to remind them of that phrase, but it has greatly reduced the annoyance level in the house.

Amy

 

[mhsjax]

I feel like maybe I am at the opposite end. I have a 10 year old and a 7 year old that of course copies her sister. But I do not allow that kind of talk in my home. We do not talk to adults like that, it's rude and not allowed in my home. And that is exactly what I tell them. For the most part they follow the rules. I feel like it can only get worse if it isn't corrected now.

And I definitely do not mean to be correcting anyone's parenting, just stating what works in our home.

Nope, I agree with you, mine will not talk to me like that, and NO I won't use distraction and let them get away with it, I have 3 and every once in a while one will try, but it doesn't go very far before I yank them back to reality, > no child of mine will talk to me that way and get away with it.

 

[mnm.rain]

My 9 year old little brother is the EXACT same way!!!! I've gotten to the point where I try to avoid him when possible because he drives me up the wall!!!!!

 

[EMom]

I feel like maybe I am at the opposite end. I have a 10 year old and a 7 year old that of course copies her sister. But I do not allow that kind of talk in my home. We do not talk to adults like that, it's rude and not allowed in my home. And that is exactly what I tell them. For the most part they follow the rules. I feel like it can only get worse if it isn't corrected now.

And I definitely do not mean to be correcting anyone's parenting, just stating what works in our home.

We nipped that in the bud. I pointed out (while giving the Evil Eye) that correcting her father or me in that way is just plain disrespectful and rude and we won't tolerate it. I think how parents deal with this may be directly related to their ability/willingness to endure it and tough it out until the "stage" passes. I freely admit that backtalk raises my hackles (and DH's too) so we're of the Barney Fife Nip It In The Bud School Of Parenting. When I was a teacher, I had the same philosophy. Stop it early, before it takes root. It's easier to kill then.

 

[PatsGirl]

Most of the time I tell them that we are going to play "Smack a Brat". Then they run around the house screaming "Smack a Brat" and hitting each other. That distracts them.

 

[Mkrop]

DS11 did this and still does sometimes. He is a very literal kid, so if the time is different, he feels the need to correct. I have told him over and over that it is disrespectful and rude, and how would he like it if I corrected him everytime he misspoke, that usually shuts him up for a little while.

He also plans on being a pro baseball player. I told him it was ok to have that dream but he also had to be realisitic, most players are recruited in college so he needs that much education. I also point out when a player gets hurt and can't play anymore, I ask him what does the person do for a living then, or when they retire. I tell him you need a backup plan in case baseball doesnt work out. So far he has been ok with that explanation.

He is very much into sports and watches ESPN constantly, I pointed out Steve Young, former football player for the 49ers, Hall of Famer, sports analyst but ALSO a lawyer, DS was super impressed that you could be ALL of those things. Maybe you could find someone like that to talk to him about, or someone who's career was over due to injury and they went on to become whatever!

 

[Dizzy4Disney90210]

Silly things like, if his dad asks me the time and I say "9:30" he will say "No, it's 9:27"

We've tried gentle, logical correct ("Do you think it's important that it's 9:28 instead of 9:30? Do you remember learning about estimating in school?")

Most of what you describe sounds normal for a typical 9 year old.

About the time thing though... instead of correcting, why not say 'yes you're right, it is 9:27'