What To Do When Your Son Calls You Names

There are some things you would never want people to know about. Your husband having an affair. Filing bankruptcy.

Maybe, an angry son who is verbally abusive.

Unfortunately, there are some painful realities in family life and no shortage of challenges.

Teens can have volatile moods and they don't have the skills to manage their emotions.

What do you do if your son calls you names? Maybe horrible names. Here are a few of my ideas for you to consider.

Let him know that name-calling is not OK

This may be an obvious suggestion, but it is important that you are clear about your expectations. Let him know that disrespect and name-calling is not something that will be tolerated in your family. Be assertive. Firm and clear. You may likely get an angry or sarcastic response, but it still needs to be spoken.

Don't respond with name-calling

Actions really do speak louder than words. Your son needs to know that you will not break your own rules and retaliate with harsh words. I imagine that your kids have pushed you to the breaking point more than once. The decisions that you and I make in those moments are critical.

Lash out and risk hurting your child or take a different road. Your son will respect you more if you avoid using his own tactics against him.

Pay attention to the feeling behind the words

This can be very hard in the moment when emotions are high and words are flying. In my experience working with children and adolescents, there is always an emotional reason for them to lash out and use hurtful words. Your son may not be aware of what he is feeling, but you can help him to start to pay attention to this.

This takes enormous patience and a willingness to put your first reactions in check. "Wow, I am shocked that you would call me such a hurtful name. It really seems like you are angry with me. What is going on for you?" In therapist speak, this would be called "naming" the emotion.

This is an important step in helping your son know you hear him and you see him. It may agitate him, but it could also decrease the intensity of his emotions.

Tell him how it makes you feel

You are one of the most important people in your son's life. You can help him learn emotional intelligence, develop empathy for others and start to see how he impacts the world around him. Tell him how his words make you feel. Angry. Sad. Hurt.

If you can do this without piling on guilt or shame, it can be a powerful way to communicate. Using "I statements" is something that I teach families all the time. This is simply the practice of directly communicating what you feel. "I feel very hurt and angry when you call me the worst Mom ever."

This may lower your son's defenses for a moment and help him see you as a real person with real feelings. It does take practice, but it is an essential tool for you as a parent.

Avoid reflexive punishment

I don't know about you, but when my kids push my buttons I find it hard to respond calmly and with logical consequences (like when my three year old bit me last night!) It can be a powerful temptation to strike back with harsh consequences. "That's it. I'm taking your XBOX for three months!"

Unfortunately, this may be ultimately more harmful and damaging to your relationship. Especially, if you do not follow through with your threat. It is a wise strategy to decide consequences when you are less emotional. When your kids make you feel powerless and out of control, avoid the urge to pile on the punishment.

Seek professional help

Are you are consistently struggling with your son calling you names, being defiant and disrespectful? If so, this may be a sign of deeper family relationship issues that require some professional support. It may be more than a developmental phase or the influence of peers. Family counseling can be quite helpful in sorting out your family dynamics and in finding new solutions to improve communication and relationships.

It can be extremely distressing when you are constantly in conflict with your son, home is a place full of tension and nothing seems to get resolved. Every family needs support.

I would be happy to help you figure out if counseling can help your family. Schedule a call today.