My 14 year old knows it all! Driving me crazy!

[emmmmmmmm]

I know I can't be alone in this, so any advice gratefully received!

My 14 year old DS knows everything and always has to have the last word. When we try and (nicely) correct him on things he says things like 'why do you think I don't know anything?', 'why do you treat me like I'm 5?', 'why are you mocking me?'

He will literally argue that blue is black. The other week he was arguing with us over the legalities of cavity wall insulation!

Any correction or words of advice is seen as us acting like we are superior to him or that we think he doesn't know anything. It's driving us nuts! This often then escalates into a bit of a meltdown - stomping, door slamming, asking me why i'm ruining his life! :(

He is otherwise normally quite pleasant (other than normal teenage strops and nothing being his fault!), he is doing ok at school, has friends etc. We praise him for things well done, he is well loved and we spend quality family time together.

What to do to get over this? is it just a phase that is likely to pass soon (please say yes!)?

I'm pretty sure I thought I knew everything at 14. I reckon it's just a phase

Buy him this.

Just agree with him! Or say something noncommit like 'oh really'.

I think you might have to let him have his say occasionally. You don't need to correct him all the time, however nicely, just let him feel like a grown up occasionally. Would you correct an adult friend in the same way?

Pick your battles. And don't argue about things which don't matter.

Jesus, how my darling dm and Dh didnt lock me in a cupboard for three years I dont know, I was such a know it all pita. so much has changed

hahahaha! JimmySilentHill that is brilliant!

MaryMotherOfCheeses oh, we definitely don't correct him on everything and let a lot of things slide and do as titchy suggests and just say something like 'oh really', but I think you have a point and perhaps I should let more things slide.