Toddler constantly correcting me

[Amiselfemployeed]

Hello, hoping some mumsnetters can help out.

DD has just turned 3, first and only child. She is going through a stage atm where she is constantly correcting / arguing with me. I cannot say anything without it being challenged. I could say the sky is blue and she will say no it's green. I pointed out some cows the other day whilst we were driving and she said no they're horses. She knows what they really are, she is just saying it to argue. It's constant, honestly every single thing I say to her she will challenge and it is so exhausting. I've tried talking to her when she does it but then it just becomes a pointless back and forth. I've tried ignoring it but she just repeats herself constantly until I acknowledge what she's said. Anyone else go through this?

I don't have any wisdom to share but that sounds REALLY annoying. I suppose the usual advice is to reward other conversation with attention and ignore this wherever possible.

My DD and niece both did this. It's an age thing. It's very grinding though.

Yeah it's normal. It's really annoying and draining but normal.

I would just agree with her and play along like it's a funny game, use it as a bit of fun, rather than a philosophical debate 😊

Respond with a question. If she's saying horses, ask her what colour they are or how many. That soon shuts them up.

Yeah, it's waring. But wait until 8-10 when they actually know all of the things

Ha ha, yes! I’d say “look at the lovely horse” and she’d say “it’s a cow” so I’d say “no, it’s an elephant” and she’d laugh!

@Porcupineintherough I properly lol'd at that!

I often argued back with something ridiculous, so when they say a cow is a horse, say 'NOOO, it's a BANANA' and actually it stopped me wanting to scream into my airbag.

x

DD is turning 3 in a month and starting to do this. Tbh I just laugh and say “OK” (then she’ll argue and say “No it not OK” )

I just go with it, it’s easier. Eg you say “look, cows”, she says “no, horses”, you say “hello, horsie, what noise do you make, is it quack?” Just be silly and contradictory. Never get into a battle of wits or stubbornness with a preschooler!

This sounds like something where you just need to be playful in how you respond and don’t let her know that it’s bothering you. The more you make it into a big deal, the more she will do it.

Just be silly back, say oh i thought they were trains, she will so realise that you are not taken her seriously and that silly arguments aren't worth it.

I ask questions, oh what makes them horses not cows? What's the difference between a horse and a cow? Etc They soon stop with the ridiculousness when they know they're going to be questioned on it

I usually respond with even more nonsense

Look a the horses

They're cows!

But cows dont have wings?

They don't have any wings!

And cows are purple?

They aren't purple!

Ah I know, they must be ducks!

Honestly my DS cba with my bullshit to keep it going

I went through this phase with DS when he was 1 (early talker) and at 2.5 he’s now moved from correcting me over silly things to correcting DH’s pronounciation and reminding us to ‘go straight’ or ‘turn right’ 10s after Google Maps does lol. For him it’s just an easy way to start a conversation and so I try to manage it by talking to him as much as possible and playing I spy.

Your dd is learning she’s separate from you. It’s developmental. Being playful with it is the way forward. It’s actually funny when kids argue amongst themselves at this age about something, especially if they’re talking cross purposes. Dd thought a Willy was actually called a Wooly and had adamant arguments with my friend’s ds about it, ‘it’s a Willy, ‘it’s a wooly’ ‘no it isn’t it’s a WILLY’ ‘no it’s a WOOLY’. My friend and I just sat and silently giggled.

I just replied with 'ok, fine' she soon stopped when she didn't get a reaction

@whoruntheworldgirls

I just replied with 'ok, fine' she soon stopped when she didn't get a reaction

Sounds a bit abrupt. Why wouldn't you want to fuel her confidence and imagination?

Be silly back. She says the sky is green so you say the clouds are donkeys. She says the cows are horses, you say they're made of Lego.

My son did this, I just turned it into a game and started arguing silly stuff as well (only when I knew he knew the real answer, obviously).

I go with the silly responses back mainly to my similar ages daughter. She gets worn out after a while.

However my SD does this increasingly and I try to not be annoyed but it's so hard. She's 15 now and been like this since I met her aged 10 but it's getting worse all the time. It doesn't matter if I'm speaking to her or another adult (her dad, my mum, my friend, a stranger on the street) she will keep interrupting and disagreeing with every single thing. I could be giving directions to a person and she will interrupt "they're not redbrick buildings where you turn, they are brown" and so forth. It means a conversation can never flow, everything needs to be paused and debated. She openly argues when she's clear she doesn't know. Most of the time I just say ok and continue but if things are in anyway stressful (eg. cooking for a big group and she's telling me that's not how you make risotto while interfering) it is hard not to react.

I know the reasons for it - she wants to reinforce her spot in the family but I still struggle.

I was going to suggest silly/funny responses to.

God that sounds tiresome though, OP!

Instead of pointing out cows say 'oh look there's some horses' (regardless of what animal they are). Language should be silly and fun and it will be easier if you make it into a game. Not worth getting stressed over.

I don't recall either of my sons going through this phase.
Maybe I was still numb from the 'why' phase!

I'm not generally one for the "oh you think this is bad, wait until....", but I do have to say that my adult son is such a bloody know it all and it drives me mad! It's like when you say no to a windows sales person and they respond with "oh, so you're happy for your windows to let it all the drafts and burglars then?".

He's just so passionate and right. I love it really, but sometimes you just want to tell them to just get on with life.

Welcome to the world of Threenagers

Fueling confidence and imagination only go so far im a single parent sometimes I just need my kids to do as they are told right now no arguments

Yes this is from real life experience I said stop my kids stopped friends child chose not to because they are "super independent" and nearly got run over