So weird. My kids (now 12 and 14) never said any such things.

My 4-year old tells me that I am mean and that won't get any presents

My 5 year old hasn’t said this but he does say things like “you need to go to time out!” Or “I don’t like the way you’re behaving! Apologize right now!” Etc to me and my husband when he’s angry.

I think this is totally normal. They’re trying to feel some control over the situation, don’t know how to manage their frustration and so think of the worst threat they can when their parents say or do something they don’t like.

I think a good response would be “I know you’re really upset right now and if you want to talk to ____about your feelings, you are welcome to do that.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take the power away and say, "Ok. Please do tell about me."

My 5 year old doesn't do this, but I don't think it would be wildly out of character.

I agree.

I think I have even told older kids some version of, “do you really think foster care is going to be better than living here?”

A 5 year old doesn't know what foster care is. Don't do that to them. You aren't 5 and you need to ack like the adult. Its ok to say, if you feel you need to, go ahead. But don't threaten them with foster care.

No. But a tween does.

It isn’t a real threat. It’s just an end to the discussion. I think the most recent was that forcing people to eat at certain times (dinner) and denying them access to food at other times (before and after dinner) had to be child abuse.