5 Year old talking back? What our expert has to say!

A:  A five year that talks back…well that is hard to believe (insert sarcasm here).  Well ~ “Help please”!!!, without knowing anymore details it sounds like your five year old is right on par with his development.  It is perfectly normal for a child to start to “test the waters”.  However his future “testing” can be halted if you take the appropriate steps now.
First you cannot let your child get away with this.  If he finds the smallest crack, we will blow it wide open.  Children are very clever and will do what it takes to get what they want.
Consistency, consistency, consistency is the second step.  If the child knows that I say yes after 15 times, well he will do it 15 times, or 30 or 50 times or whatever time you caved.  Eventually the child will give up and you will be the victorious parent.
As I watch my own children I have come to the conclusion that children think the world revolves around them, their rules and their expectations for their world.  Children are very egocentric and will do what it takes to get what they want and it is up to us to remind them that they are children and we are the parent.  We are called to do this in a gentle loving way.  Children are not this way because they want to be difficult.  This is just the way they are and this is how children learn.
Now parents, go forth and teach the next generation.