Don’t Backtalk Back

Question:

Help! Jane I REALLY need your help. My 4-year-old daughter will not stop saying UGLY and I mean Ugly things to me when she does not get what she wants or when she does not get her way. I have recently purchased your book Positive Discipline. Maybe I have not read far enough on what I am to do. I can not tell you how much I love your advice so far, But I feel so out of control and it is really upsetting. If you have any words of wisdom for me I would REALLY appreciate it. Thank you so much for all that you do to help parents like me. Regards Heidi

Answer:

Hi Heidi,

Following is an excerpt from the revised Positive Discipline A-Z. 

Backtalk and Disrespect

“I asked my daughter to pick up her shoes. She replied, ‘Why don’t you. You’re the mother.’ I couldn’t believe it. Why would she be so disrespectful? Even more important, what should I do about it? I can’t just let her get away with that, but the more I punish her, the worse it gets.”