Hellobee Boards

I don't know if this is the "right" way but I try not to give it too much attention. I'm hoping it's a phase. I'll say something like "Please speak respectfully to me the way I speak to you" and just move on. I then really try not to lose my cool so I'm modeling the way we speak in our family, but I can't say it never happens.

We also recently enrolled DS in karate and they do some "character development." Last class they talked about making eye contact when you're speaking to someone and waiting until they're finished to start talking. I'm hopeful these lessons will slowly sink in.

I'd say, "That's not a nice way to talk to Mommy. I'd like you to say you're sorry and if I hear it again you'll get timeout."

Time out has always been really effective with DS1 who is now 4. We don't use it often, but when he's being disrespectful or smart, I'll give him a warning. The other day, I asked him to put on his coat, and he told me no. I said, "Excuse me? That's not the way we talk to mommy. I'll give you 3 seconds to come here and put on your coat or we'll sit in timeout." He did come over and put on his coat, but I then asked him to put on his hat, and he said no again. Without hesitation, he went to timeout. After he calmed down, he was respectful for the rest of the day.