Why Back Talk?

Arguing in family life is typical and expected. “Back talk” can be defined as “argumentative replies.”^1 Children can respond in anger, hurt, frustration, hurtful tones, or with hurtful words. Back talk also represents a power imbalance children are trying to rectify. To regain some power, children lash out with hurtful words. Power, after all, is a basic human need. Building your child’s skills to respond assertively but non-aggressively is essential to their success.

Tip: These steps are done best when you and your child are not tired or in a rush.

Tip: Intentional communication and a healthy parenting relationship will support these steps.

Step 1: Get Input- Get Your Child Thinking by Getting Their Input

● “What gets you upset or mad at a friend, a relative, Mom and Dad?”

● “What feelings do you experience?” (Name the multiple feelings that occur.)

● “How does your body feel when you’re upset?” (Name how your child physically experiences being upset, whether it’s a red hot face or a racing heartbeat.)

● “Have you hurt another person’s feelings when you’ve argued? How did that feel?”

● “How might you have argued differently to express your needs but not harm the other person?”

● Practicing naming feelings will enable your child to identify their and others’ feelings and seek support when needed. This can help your child gain competence.

● Use your best listening skills!

Step 2: Teach New Skills

● Reflect on how you currently model communication when you’re upset. Only model what you want to see and hear back from your child.

● Fighting habits hurt others and destroy trust in one another:^2

○ Do not use physical force.

○ Do not talk about others negatively when they are not present.

○ Do not criticize.

○ Do not show contempt.

○ Do not become defensive or blaming.

○ Do not refuse to listen or give the silent treatment.

● Play like a hermit crab to help calm down. When upset, pretend to bury yourself in your shell with your child, arms over your head. Take some deep breaths together and only reemerge when feeling better.

● Begin to teach your child to repair harm. A critical step in teaching children about managing anger is learning how to repair harm when they’ve caused it.

Tip: If your child finds it difficult to give you a feeling word, offer them options and ask which ones fit their true emotions. This will help expand their feelings vocabulary.

Step 3: Practice to Grow Skill and Develop Habits

● Allow your child the chance to assert their needs in small ways, like ordering for themselves in a restaurant or asking for your attention in healthy ways.

● Consider how you can create the conditions to support their success (like offering coaching or guided open-ended questions to prompt thinking) so your child learns to become their best problem solver.

● Share a range of feeling words regularly to become more comfortable...