Page 3 | Toddler constantly correcting me

Amiselfemployeed · 2022-03-22T09:24:06+00:00

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?

MrBoldwood · 22/03/2022 18:05

Oh yes I’ve had guys do that to me.

MrBoldwood · 22/03/2022 18:06

When my DM wanted to suggest something to my DF, she’d pretend a man had told her, so that he’d accept it. Any man, didn’t matter who.

MuchTooTired · 22/03/2022 18:21

I was stupid, and corrected my DD initially as I genuinely thought she’d learnt it wrong. Took me a while to figure out she actually knew it and it was a phase, so I’ll either agree with her if I’m tired, or will make up my own version of what it is. She’s quite an opinionated little miss, and will merrily say “silly mummy, it’s not a purple dinosaur, it’s a cow” with a look of pity on her face when 10 seconds ago she’d announced it was a green horse.

I found these sorts of conversations a hell of a lot less irritating than her twin brother’s never ending questions of why?

berlinbabylon · 22/03/2022 18:23

I used to do this, though not to the extent that I'd say the sky was green when it was blue. But if eg my mum said something cost £5 I'd say no it didn't, it cost £4.90.

It is annoying but kids grow out of it.

collieresponder88 · 22/03/2022 18:33

Just ignore it and change the subject or pretend you are talking on the phone she will soon get the message

LadyCordeliaFitzgerald · 22/03/2022 18:44

She will probably enjoy Tge Elephant Song

Fernandina · 22/03/2022 18:47

Discover your inner sense of the utterly absurd and turn it back on her.

S22 · 09/06/2025 15:23

My four year old does this too, he will be trying to tell me something and I will finish it off for him. He will say no and tell me his version which is exactly the same or maybe uses a different world! When we sing songs sometimes we change the words just for fun he will always have to correct us and say no it’s like this. Pls help

00100001 · 09/06/2025 16:40

S22 · 09/06/2025 15:23

My four year old does this too, he will be trying to tell me something and I will finish it off for him. He will say no and tell me his version which is exactly the same or maybe uses a different world! When we sing songs sometimes we change the words just for fun he will always have to correct us and say no it’s like this. Pls help

Well, you are being quite annoying by doing that....

imagine if that was you and your DH kept assuming he knew what you were going to say and said it for you. Would you take it happily,or would you say "no, I was going to say xxx" / just say what you were going to say anyway?

JohnTheRevelator · 09/06/2025 16:55

My DD (now 41) used to do this as a toddler. My late DM used to say that it was a sign that she was very intelligent. Which turned out to be true!

S22 · 09/06/2025 16:58

@00100001 hmm yes I see your point but he even corrects us if we say chair instead of sofa or little things like that. Even if we say something he will say no so il say okay tell me and he will say exact the same thing!!! Even if I say words abit different tone or voice he will say no it’s like this. Even if we don’t know the words to a song and we just say whatever he will have to correct us t us too. Is that a trait ? He always wants his way won’t give in he cries and gets angry if we get him to do / wear something he doesn’t want to

00100001 · 09/06/2025 19:03

S22 · 09/06/2025 16:58

@00100001 hmm yes I see your point but he even corrects us if we say chair instead of sofa or little things like that. Even if we say something he will say no so il say okay tell me and he will say exact the same thing!!! Even if I say words abit different tone or voice he will say no it’s like this. Even if we don’t know the words to a song and we just say whatever he will have to correct us t us too. Is that a trait ? He always wants his way won’t give in he cries and gets angry if we get him to do / wear something he doesn’t want to

Let him finish his sentence. I know it tedious,but it is a bit rude to rush him or finish for him.

Maybe he's mirroring what you're doing to him?

Don't get drawn into it if he doesn't understand that there are different words for things. Literally ignore his correction!

As for the getting upset about having to do it wear things... Pick your battles.

Is he refusing to wear a coat out in the rain? Let him get wet, and offer it to him a few minutes into the rain, if he says yes, give it without comment on if you were right. If he refuses, just remind him, if he gets cold/too wet you'll have to do X instead.

Or, if you have the option,let him choose a coat or an umbrella (or whatever is two sensible choices)

I save my "this has to happen" for when it really matters, definitely helps there to be less conflict. Giving them choices and freedom within boundaries is good way to get them to push against everything.

Again,look at this way. If your DH told you to wear a coat, because it's raining. But you think you'll be fine... How would you feel? Especially if he carried on going on about it?
Probably pissed off and push back and say "I'll be fine thanks" and would you then want him to be "ha ha told you so" when you do realise he was right and needed a coat? Or would you rather the jacket was subsequently worn without comment from him? Except maybe something like "I hope you're nice and warm now" or whatever.