Question
Our 8 year old has grown increasingly disrespectful. He is perfect respectful to adults like teachers and parents of his friends, so it is primarily an issue at home.
Often the disrespect is related to feeling embarrassed by us. He is acutely aware of how he might come across to others, so he speaks disrespectfully when he feels embarrassed by us which seems to be often and for minor issues. The disrespect does span to other situations-basically any time he feels like we did something with which he doesn’t agree.
He is also often rude to his siblings. I know some sibling conflict is normal, but this seems excessive. I hear him multiple times per day tell his younger brothers how annoying they are, and he often yells at them to stop whatever behavior they are doing that he doesn’t like.
We’ve been asking him to stop, and having him rephrase his disrespectful words, but this problem doesn’t seem to be improving. Thanks for your help in this matter.
