Sadly, that secnrio is pretty typical, and it's a trubute to sorry ass parrenting skills. You'd NEVER see that kind of stuff in my home, even when other people's kids are here. My daughter would never speak to me or her mom in that manner, because she respects us. The kind of behavior you point out is actually taught to the kids. They learn that as often as not, it works, so it becomes the typical scenario. In my home, people respect each other, regardless of their age, and this tactic would never get anyone anywhere; Hence it never happens.

Our daughter did try the the tactic, when she was about two, but when it was totally ineffective, the behavior was instantly abandoned, and has yet to resurface. She's 19 now.

Any kid who respects you will avoid the kind of behavior you describe when he/she is interacting with you, even if they do it at home. The respect thing works just as well with adults, and most people realize that, but many (if not most) are unable to see that the same thing works with kids. They listen to pepole they respect. People who mock them aren't respected, even when they are their parents. Whining and asking irrational quesitons about love is merely a sign of disrespect for the parents, and the disrespect has been earned. Earned by their own actions, in allowing the behavoir to become habitual.

Tell your kids how stupid they are and they'll reward you with equally disrespectful behavior. You will get what you give, whether it's kids or adults. Respect commands respect. Contempt breeds contempt. You help no one by breeding contempt, but almost everyone (regardless of age) responds well when they are treated in a respectful manner.