Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

How would you have dealt with this ‘tween situation?

As we’re leaving a friend’s place tonight (after sitting around the fire pit) my tween gets on his scooter as though he’s going to ride home alone. I tell him to put the scooter in the Jeep and get in (it’s dark at this point and I’m not going to let him scoot home alone)
Now he’s pissed (teenaged hormones!) and he’s questioning me. After some discussion, and as he’s seated in the seat next to me, he says cockily, “ You better not try to stop me from riding my dirt bike like this, or else I’ll make your whole weekend miserable!”

Of course I responded with some version of “Ha! Who do you think you are? As if you have that kind of power!”

He said “Oh yeah,? Like you can stop me....I know how to syphon gas”

(Earlier in the night, we had discussed the fact that he needs to earn his tanks full of gas when we are out dirt biking, and that gas isn’t free)

Anyway...at that point I reached out and smacked his mouth. As far as I am concerned, he deserved that smack. He was being totally cocky and the smartassery was running rampant!

How would you have dealt with it?
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
He wouldn't be riding his dirt bike for at least a month if I had to dismantle it or rent a storage locker.

If he threatens to ruin my weekend, I'd ruin his month.

Time to rein in this young stallion before he's running wild with the herd.
ImpeccablyImperfect · 51-55, F
Right? I can imagine how big his britches might become once he’s 15 or 16! Damn. I am doing my best to bring him down to size now :). @Mamapolo2016
@ImpeccablyImperfect As a combat veteran stepmother, I can tell you when you've reached the point of daydreaming about boiling him in oil, you're both out of control.

And I've been there.

Far better not to introduce physical violence. It can backfire. You have to enlist his father in this. Like now.
ImpeccablyImperfect · 51-55, F
@Mamapolo2016 I have. His father is away at work (as usual) but he has my back. He told me he’s glad I smacked his mouth for being mouthy as he was. It’s been a rough road but I have to stay on top here. Especially since his father is away most of the time. I can’t let him think he’s in control here.
ImpeccablyImperfect · 51-55, F
I also don’t see a smack on the mouth as ‘physical violence’....it’s not like I’m beating the kid (although some might say he has deserved such a beating!) It’s simply more of a natural consequence.

If I was in the bar, and I kept mouthing off to another girl, being a snotty, mouthy bitch, I could justifiably expect that I’d get a punch in the mouth. Wouldn’t you agree? I see it as the same thing. He has pushed the limits of my patience for three years now, and tonight I smacked him on the mouth for it. I didn’t take him out back and kick the shit out of him haha
@ImpeccablyImperfect I don't know your situation. but while I can completely understand the impulse, you should consider your position in today's climate. A backhand in the heat of argument can be construed as 'abusive stepmother.' If his mother is still in the picture at all, that will often be where the trouble comes from.

Just be careful.