Help, my son seemed to have skipped the terrible twos but is now in the terrible fours. He answers back, if I tell him off his response is shut up! and he has even gone so far as calling me names (eg. Josh you can't have one of those because they are no good for you reponse you're stupid, idiot or you're daft in a really huffy voice - aaargh). He can be good but lately he is really testing my patience with his attitude. He even uses things I say to him, like you will go to your room in response to me telling him off - his defiance is of boundless magnitude.
We had a chat about it yesterday but I wonder how much is sinking in - if it carries on he will spend the rest of his boyhood in his bedroom.
Also went to kids party Saturday and I understand boys can be boisterous but every incident that occurred seemed to involve my DS. I was mortified and have said he cannot go to the party which is on next week as I don't know if I can really put myself through another one. Having said that Josh is one of three boys who are friends at school and although they are friends they are fiercly competitive and can be really quite rough wtih each other which often ends in tears. i have noticed that DS would not do any of the awful things they do together to any of the other kids so it seems to be within the group he knocks around with.
I am over reacting, what can I do to try and improve his behaviour without resorting to arguing with him and eventually having to bring in Supernanny!
Any help greatly appreciated