Back Talkin'

What is it about back talk that can cause one to throw every good parenting skill she knows right out the window? Why is such a very typical childish act so dang frustrating for a parent?  Holy cow!!

My oldest is turning into quite the pro at talking back.  He's 11 and I swear to you that he's convinced he's in control of everything...everything except his mouth and his attitude.  I'm not saying he does it all the time but, man, when it happens, he really goes all the way with it. 

So, how are we supposed to handle this kind of thing? Getting mad and "talking with intense emotion" definitely doesn't help.  Ignoring it only sends the message its okay.  Grounding him from all things electronic or with a screen has lost its meaning and value. He doesn't really play with toys anymore and since we've moved, he doesn't even have a lot of friends that we can ground him from.  I've talked to him about God's directives for him, as a child.  I know he gets it and I know he understands it...I just wonder if its really settling in his heart. Its times like this when he's no fun to be around and I get mad at myself because I let the disrespect of the arguing and talking back get to me.

Oh, and did I mention the other 3 kids are right there, watching all of this unfold?  I dread the day I get it from all four angles. 

He'll be 12 in six months...and then, a full-fledged teenager. Puberty and hormones are going to set in and I'm betting middle school will not help this situation get any better. 

Parenting is tough and there are times when we just don't know what to do.  Kids will be kids, I know, and I know they learn how to behave from us, so we have to really model what we want from them.  There are times, though, when even parents turn into children and behave childishly.  What do we do then?  How do we overcome these obstacles? 

Its a question almost as big as "What's the meaning of life?"

Do you know the answer?