My Biggest Pet Peeves as a Mom

Source: Explosm.net

I consider myself a fairly patient person, especially when it comes to my kids.  Here lately, though, I've noticed that certain things have been getting under my skin WAYYY more than they should.  Can you relate to any of these?

1.  When the eight-year-old talks in a baby voice.
Not just to her baby sister, but to anyone within hearing range.  Seriously kid, you're 8.  No one wants to hear it any more.

2.  The never-ending "why?"
The three year old has been absorbing everything around him, and I love that he wants to know exactly how the world works... but c'mon.  There are only so many times I can answer "Why?" before we get into an existential debate that I'm not sure you're equipped to argue.

3.  Whining.  Any whining.

4.   Nibbling 
I know how big your mouth is, kid.  I see it when you're yelling at me about how you don't want to take a bath.  Use it to take a bite, because nibbling your crackers like a mouse is just making a big, crumby mess for me to clean up.

5.  Arguing with everything I say
I remember getting yelled at a lot as a kid by my stepdad, "Don't you backtalk me!" but I never really understood what he was talking about.  Now, I'm a stepmom who gets to deal with sass constantly.  "Come into the living room," usually gets a exaggerated sigh and an, "I am!"

What are your biggest pet peeves when it comes to your children?