Have you ever heard anything coming out of your child’s mouth that sounds like sass or disrespect? Of course you have. Here’s a thought. Children’s words are not honed from a careful survey of their surroundings, nor are the filtered by a deep emotional understanding of their parents and siblings. So, the next time you hear what you think is sass or disrespect, pause for a moment and say something like – “I don’t think you meant to be sassy, but take a deep breath, think about what you want to say, and try it again.” This kind of re-do often yields a quick, respectful reply and you might even get an apology without asking.