Attitude

I been wondering something here lately... do all kids get to certain age to where they have nothing but ATTITUDE coming out of their mouth? My son, Zackerie just turned 9 in July. More and more here lately all I get from him is pure attitude. I just don't understand it. He was always a well behaved child that always wanted to help and was always very polite. Now, all he wants to do is argue, talk back, and throw fits. I ask him to come to me when he throws his tantrums and he takes off running.

Perhaps it is that now a days, parents are more reserved with punishments for the children. They had out punishments such as time out, grounding to the room, or maybe taking a video game away (or whatever the kids enjoy doing). I remember when I was growing up that we would get a butt spanking if we misbehaved. I don't know about you, but I was scared to back talk my parents. Not to say I would get beat to death or anything. Just that perhaps there was more respect for the parents back then. My parents had a certain look they would give us kids if we misbehaved and we knew to stop whatever it was that we were doing.

I have to admit that I don't spank my kids as much as I probably should. I also let them get away with more than I used to get away with. I know a majority of this kind of behavior has a lot to do with me letting them get away with things at times and not at others. I'm sure that's very confusing for the child. I know they have to test me and see if that day is one of those days they can get away with the bad behavior. Maybe that's the difference between single moms? As a single mom (at least for me) I can get hmmmm what's the word... Oh yeah... LAZY. That has to deal with working all day then coming home and just being to tired to argue. I would have to do homework, dinner, baths, get them ready for school the next day, and so on and so on. Also, I'm sure that not being with them as much as I would like to I would feel a bit guilty and want to give them whatever it is they are wanting at that time.

Now that I am staying home with them full time it's a bit different. They just seem to get under my skin more, lol. I see the bad behavior more and more. That's the confusing part for me. I guess it is a big adjust for all of us. Hopefully, time will fix everything and we will get back to where we once were... positive attitudes, better behaved, and no more fits, lol. Well, this is my ramblings for the day.