Top Ten Words and Phrases Kids Use that Push Buttons in Adults

The current one from my seven year old daughter is 'I promise'. Closely followed by 'I dunno' and 'But I want', yet there are plenty of those key words and phrases that I know annoy me and others.

Now my husband and I do our best to keep things fair and level for our children. The rules are in place, we have structure, yet also have relaxed times when they can play, have fun and cut loose. The problem right now tends to be our daughter trying to push buttons and her wonderful ability to not listen unless it suits her.

Don't get me wrong. I love our children. Yes, there are times I joke about selling them to passing gypsies, or putting them on Ebay, but that is a joke. Humor that gets us, as parents, through the day when they're being trying. And boy, can they be trying at home. Oddly enough when we're out and about around others they can be damn near angels compared to how some other children act, but when they are home there are times when all bets are off.

One of the hardest things to deal with as a parent is a child using a phrase such as 'I promise' when you know full well they'll forget five minutes down the line what they've said they're going to do. So here is my top ten list of words and phrases that are guaranteed to push buttons in adults.

Whatever! - I don't know about you but that one makes my hands itch. My jaw clenches. I find myself focusing not to snap at the person using it, and it's worse when it's an adult. We all know it's a brush off, the 'sure, right, whatever you say, not'. My own husband knows he better not use it with me unless he makes it clear it's joke.

In a minute! - Your version of a minute or mine. Because mine's sixty seconds and a child's or teenagers is - well whenever it suits them to remember what it is they are supposed to be doing.

But Joey's Mom says - Joey, Rebecca, whoever, I don't care. I'm your mom, not their mom. Don't you just want to scream when they throw that one out? You might never have met this Joey but in that instant you want to strangle their mom. And then the rationale side kicks in. That mom probably wants to strangle you for exactly the same thing. It's a plot by kids. I swear it is!

It's done. Whatever the chore is, they swear it's done, but you know it's not. You go back five times, making them do it over and by the time it's finished you did the majority of it anyway.

I promise! Especially in younger children this one is plain frustrating. They actually mean well for the thirty seconds after this phrase leaves their mouth. And every once in a while they truly do try. But as an adult we expect them to try to keep the promise for more than the span of a commercial break.

I didn't do it! And you can see the evidence all around them. Rule number one. When you're in trouble stop digging the hole and try to climb out instead.

I forgot. Well it's easy to forget when they didn't listen in the first place. At this one it's a case of breath deeply, count to ten, count to ten again and try not to scream.

I dunno! Well if you didn't know why did you do it? It wouldn't be so bad if she wasn't bright in the first place, but she is. She knows better. Maybe counting to ten isn't working, fifty? Yes, I'll count to fifty next time.

But he started it! He? She? I don't care. I'm finishing it. Now!

I know! Often said immediately after you've told them off for doing something wrong, or corrected them. Erm, if you know why did I just have to tell you off?

So what are your pet peeves? What phrase does a child throw at you that has you wanting to scream or bury yourself under a quilt for the rest of the day?