Attitudes & Backtalk
Back talk, smarting off, and being fresh are disrespectful because they do
not recognize the power structure of the family. The child is either treating
parents as subordinates by giving orders or as peers by criticizing, using
sarcasm, swearing, name calling, or not complying. Although it is important
to consider children’s ideas, when parents do not “carry the weight in the
family,” it is like sailing a boat with no ballast—the boat will capsize!
WHY CHILDREN TALK BACK
Understanding the following sources of disrespect can help parents take it
less personally and free their minds to have a quick-witted response:
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Young children talk back to test the limits of their power by ordering
and verbally refusing to comply. High-energy children are especially
prone to back talk because their exuberance gives them a confusing
sense of strength.
-
Adolescents talk back as a part of their struggle to establish their
own identity and independence. They are critical of parents about
almost everything—being too strict, too overprotective, old
fashioned, or “clueless.”
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Children of all ages will talk back when parents engage in power
struggles with them.
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Comments that parents make out of hurt and anger can provoke
disrespectful retorts from children.
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Children who are being empowered by another adult who is
undermining the parent’s authority will talk back.
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Children who feel too powerful because parents don’t take action to
establish their authority or too powerless because parents are
overbearing will talk back.
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Children who have not learned respectful ways to disagree or
express anger will talk back. This includes almost all children.
HOW TO RESPOND TO BACK TALK
Telling a child not to talk back or to be more respectful will inspire the
opposite. Psychologists usually advise parents to be consistent. In the case
of back talk, it is important for parents to use a variety of responses.
Surprisingly, the gentlest responses often produce better results than
intense ones. Consequences will be more powerful when they are not
overused. The following suggest levels of responding to back talk:
- Label what the child is feeling without making any judgment.
Fight back talk with feedback. This increases children’s
awareness of what they are doing without triggering a power
struggle—”You really like to give me orders.” “You seem quite
disappointed in me.” “You’re frustrated with the way I worry.”
- Sympathize to defuse anger—”It’s really hard being 3 years old
and having to learn so many rules.” “It’s very frustrating to lose
that taste of freedom.”
- Being playful can increase awareness and break tension.
Excuse yourself to get your broomstick if your child is treating
you like the Wicked Witch of the West. Ask “Do I get demerits
for that?” “How many IQ points do you think I’ve lost?” “Am I a
completely hopeless worrywart or am I trainable?”
- Match the child’s attitude and back talk for him or her in your
sassiest voice.
- Model appropriate ways to disagree or express anger. Talking
as though you are the child, say “Mom, I disagree with your
decision. Are you willing to hear my idea?”
- Never take orders. Let children know that you cannot help them
when they talk disrespectfully. Do not argue with verbal
noncompliance. Simply withhold privileges until a task is
complete.
- Postpone discussions until you are calm enough to listen and
until your child has more composure. Encourage your child
(and yourself) to talk to a friend, write, or engage in some
activity that will help you each be more objective.
- Swearing can be handled like back talk and other disrespectful
language. Focus on acceptable expression of feelings instead
of punishment. If you are comfortable with it, allow children to
use the “rhyming method” of creating swearing substitutes to
use during emotional moments.
- Withhold privileges until children can restate their previous
comments with desirable words and tone of voice, demonstrate
understanding of your point of view, or talk about what is really
bothering them.
Technically, back talk is an act of omission because children are failing to
talk in a desirable manner. They can easily be motivated to communicate
more effectively if you give them time to collect themselves and withhold key
privileges until they can perform the task in number 9 above. Putting a child
on restriction for back talk is like trying to kill a mosquito with a machete and
does little to teach desirable expression.
THE SILENT TREATMENT
Some children prefer pouting, withdrawing, or “the silent treatment” to back
talk. Simply require such children to tell you or write you a letter about what
is bothering them before they can use the phone, eat snacks, or have other
privileges. If you do this, you must be willing to feedback their feelings and
sympathize with their viewpoint (although you may not change your
position). If you attempt to dispute feelings, the approach will not work and
the negative attitude will continue!
Reference
Several books elaborate on skills that improve communication with children:
Between Parent and Child and Between Parent and Teenager by Haim
Ginott (Avon 1969, 1971) and How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So
Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (Avon, 1980).