'it's because I'm stupid'

[BusyCee]

5yo son says it when he's being told off. I suspect it because its word we avoid as much as possible (as in 'er, BusyChild, we don't call each other stupid in this house'), and I think he uses it to divert the bollocking. He's quite an emotionally intelligent manipulative kid.

I want to correct it, because he's not stupid. But I don't want to be diverted by him either.

Any thoughts on what I can say?

I would just ignore and continue with what you were saying as I think you are right. My ds used to say 'I'm the f word' (luckily he didn't actually know what it was!) but it was definitely an attempt to distract!!

And then reinforce that he isn't stupid in non-telling off situations

Yeah ok. Thanks, good to hear. just needed to hear I'm in the right tracks. Or a clever sentence that'll do the job.

I think that as soon as they have realised you are distracted they will throw something else at you (like dd's favourite - I wish I was dead) so I think you are right to ignore

My son's the same age, I think I'd probably laugh and say "Don't be ridiculous!" in those circumstances.

Ah. Your DD has topped him. I won't mention it or I'll never hear the end..

You could just say 'no one has said you are stupid, I am just telling you that you were unkind to do x'