As tjlove mentioned, knowing your son's age/grade level would help us in being able to better answer your question. Also, if you could give some specific examples of how your son's behavior has changed, we could try to give you more specific advice.

He's 10 yrs. old and in 4th grade. His behavior has changed increasingly, he talks back, completely ignores anything we or other elders say. I know talking back alot of kids do, to be testy, but it was never this bad. I don't know if he's learning this from another student or what. He never used profanity, at least not around us, now I have his coach and teammates coming up to me telling me he's cursing. It seems like when he's not around us he thinks he doesn't have to listen to anyone, doesn't have to do his school work, etc.... He was always good about getting up for school on time, doing his home work right after school, being ready for practice or game, (baseball). Now I have to argue to get him going in the morning to get ready for school, I have to argue w/ him to do his homework, he never asked for help before, now he does because he's not paying attention in class. We try to help, he throws a fit and expects the person helping him to just give him the answers. His grades have dropped because he acts up in class and won't pay attention or do his work. He was always on a schedule and knows what time is bedtime. Now I have to argue w/ him to get ready and go to bed. Especially on a school night. It's just so frustrating. I don't know what to do, My husband and my mom are no help, they just give in to him. Let him do what ever. I really need some good advice on what should I do and for someone to please explain what's going on? I have had a teacher confrence. For awhile it was starting to work out in a positive way, but out of nowhere's he started back up again.

Is your son a "larger" boy, such that he could be entering an early puberty? Has he had any recent kind of accident or head injury (ie, hit with a baseball?) because sometimes those can cause changes in one's personality. Have you asked your son's pediatrician about doing a complete physical, to rule out any problems like even enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Kids who have allergies, for example, often don't sleep well; when people don't get adequate rest, they can become more "moody" and irritable and can have problems paying attention...

I also have a 10yr old 4th grader and he is starting to test his limits. He has started talking back to me and I simiply let him now that his behavior will not be acceptable. As a matter of fact I had this talk with him last night. I told him when he talks back to me it is rude and embarassing so if he want to embarrass me I will embarrass him when he is around his friends he looked at me and said no don't do that. I said don't do it to me. My kid is a good kid Healthy 11 is right lack of sleep makes them grouchy, and irritable. My kid is on allergy medicine and when he dosen't sleep right he as a little bit of an attitude. I do have him on medication but when the wind gets blowing around his allergies get worse. Another thing you might want to check on kids act out when they are going through things, like some need extra attention, someone is bullying him, maybe he just needs reassurance that he is still number one to you his parents. kids don't know it but they do need to be punished it gives them structure. When my kids get into trouble and I punish them I send them to their rooms or have them sit somewhere with not tv no toys just to think of why they are introuble, then after I have had some time I go talk to them and let them what made me upset about their actions. Also I have a 10 yr old and a 5yr old and a 1yr old and I have noticed that my 10 yr old gets a little jealous or needs a little more attention. so there will be days when he and I just go out and I'll let him know I really appreciate his help and he smiles and says okay. Boy I never thought being a parent could be so challenging! good luck keep us all posted.

He is bigger, in height compared to other 10 year olds. His abnoids were taken out when he was younger. I do ground him, send him to his room for misbehaving, w/ no tv, no playing, nothing. I also sent him to bed early on some occassions. I think part of it does have to do w/ my husband and my mom. They say their gonna punish him for something but they never follow through w/ it so he doesn't take them seriously. And I've done that a few times just let things go here and there, because I get fed up, I've always stuck to it but there were times he suppose to be in his room and my husband or my mom would take him somewhere's, therefore he pretty much got away w/ it. He really acts up the most if someone comes to visit. Or if other people are around. Like a relative, my mom, anyone. He thinks well their here that there's really nothing I can do. It's just so exhausting and embarassing. If I'm trying to conversate w/ a guest and the attention isn't on him, he gets bored and starts acting up. If I'm watching tv and it's something he doesn't like, he acts up, even though he has his own tv, and could watch whatever he wants. He has all these toys, games, video games, movies, etc... but instead of keeping himself busy and out of trouble he chooses to get in trouble. I do many things w/ him, and take him many places. But it's like no soon after he gets what he wants, he acts up. Because it's not about him anymore, like afterwards after taking him someplace fun and we get home and I wanna relax a little, there he goes. I explained to him that he can't have my attention 24/7, that he needs to learn how to entertain himself. He also taunts our cat and dog. Our dog now growls at him and doesn't trust him and he won't leave her alone. He has had a physical. I asked if he had ADD/ADHD or anything like that. The doctor said he was fine. He did get hit in the chin by a baseball, but his acting up started before he started baseball. It could be early puberty, but I have know clue. I don't know what else to do. I've argued many times w/ my mom and husband about stop letting him get away w/ everything, to follow through because he doesn't take you guys seriuosly, to back me up when I ground him or send him to his room or whatever. That their helping make matters worse because then it's not teaching him anything and that what he does wronge is ok. But I can't get through to them either. I'm so alone in this. I'm sure thats why he don't listen to his teachers either. So what do I do now? I'm so stressed out and angry.

If you don't think there's a physical explanation for his behaviors, then it might be wise to consider parenting classes/counseling, so that your husband, mother, and you, all learn consistent ways of working together to discipline your son. It sounds like you already recognize that kids need clear limits, and inconsistencies cause them to "push boundaries further" and "play one adult off the other," but it's important for your husband and mother to work with you towards the same common goals.

No I don't think it's anything physical. When he was younger and his step brothers were younger, we all "the adults" were on the same page most of the time and backed each other up. But then as they got a little older for some reason my mom and husband just pretty much let go of the leash on them and haven't really pulled back on it much since. If you get what I mean. So then it frustrates me because I'm left to deal with it. His step brothers only come over every other weekend so it has nothing to do w/ that either. I don't think we need couseling or parenting. It's lack of guidence from other adults who should know better but are to lazy to do anything and just let things go. Therefore he doesn't take anyone serious because he is not being corrected when he misbehaves or does something wronge. Except when I have to deal w/ it. But he is 10 yrs. old and knows what he's doing is wronge. He was grounded, sent to his room,privalages taken away etc... many times over this. So it's not like he was never taught right from wronge. It's more of an act for attention. Or testing to see how far he can push someone, basically. What I wanted to know is how do other parents deal w/ this that are in the same situation? Is there anyone on here that has to deal w/ their wife, husband, mom , dad, etc... letting their kids get away with misbehaving and your the one who is trying everything you can to make things right like I've been trying. Has it also affected your child's school work and actions at school? (Pretty much everything I'm dealing w/ and going through.) Do you have any advice? Hopefully this makes sense when you read it!!!!

Wow, you sure do have alot to deal with! But you may not think so but kids do need more attention then we think. I had a rough weekend with my 10yr old he was just pushing every button that he could. Finally I just told him that I he was not to ask for any toys, games or any other things until he learned to behave. He was fighting with his 5yr old brother teasing him and calling him names I looked at him and told him no friends could come over nor could he go with friends outside to play until he learned to play with his brother first. He had tears rolling down. Then he said okay sorry and about fifteen min. later he said that he and I should have a date, just us by ourselves. To me that says that he is feeling left out and needs me to focus on him. So today after work I have my in-law picking up my 5yr old so my 10yr old and I could have a nice dinner by ourselves. So we can talk.
As for your situation you need to be having a big family discussion with all members of your family. Explain the rules what is acceptable and not acceptable husband and mom need to listen especially.