My 4 yr old is exactly the same way.  I feel like pulling my hair out sometimes when she argues back because she's just too smart for her own good and saucy as hell.  I'm going to take your suggestion 'cause I think it just might work with her!

cool idea and it will encourage him to use his noggon... he's a pretty smart fella and i will give that a shot hey :) just another question what do you recomend for concequences, i don't smack but sending him to his room dosn't work either he just yells about what he wants all the way there and reasoning with him then is almost imposible... i's really at a loss with this and would love any ideas i can get...

try and take things off him like what he likes such is toys or even time out not in his room somewhere he cant play but sit and think what he has done 4 year old tend to push the buttons a little it drives u nuts but once u do displine ask him afterwards why he got displine such if he back chats if he answers it ask him what he should not not do like back chatting and be firm as he sounds to a real smarty boys tend to push your limits but u r doing a great job hope it works

thanx tracy, i like the idea of sending him somewhere else other than his room might try the laundry (there is a stool in there and noooo toys) i must admit taking things off him somtimes works, eg. he isn't alowed to use his computer or scooter until he finishes his school work and it has gotten him to finish it alot faster since we found that one. lol we do the interigation thing after he has been punished but he always gives us preprogramed responses... he has that one worked out to a tee because he knows we can't actually find fault with the answers...cheeky thing lol... thanx again for the tips hey :)'s

lol, yer what is it about the fiesty ones, they are so stuborn hehe i spose he is a bit like me i guess :)'s for you tracy...