What do you do with a parent of a terror who thinks he's just "funny"?

[HopeHoops]

I'm thinking some parenting skills are lacking.

[TheMadMonk]

1. Tell them that neither is welcome in your presence until...

...they BOTH learn some manners.

[Tumbulu]

2. it is so touchy and tricky

I tend to be gone when they want to come over......

[Ruby Reason]

3. It sounds like bullying.

On both the parent and the child's part. A nice list of bully characteristics presented, read aloud, or given quietly is sometimes a wake up call. Not all abusers recognize they abuse. It is so built into their systems. Not all victims realize they are being victimized. It is how they are raised and "normal" to them. Pointing it out to a person who can reason and generally cares is often an eye opener. "I'm (or He's) not that bad, am I?"

[HopeHoops]

4. As Mr. Miyagi said, "No such thing as bad student - only bad teacher."

Unfortunately the interaction is in a professional setting my wife can't just "walk away" from. We're dealing with some seriously deficient parents here.

[Bruce Wayne]

5. Mr. Miyagi also said, "Get of our my kitchen, Ralph Malf!"

It was equally a nonsensical thing to say. I've never worked as a teacher, but among the young promising adolescents I've served as a mentor too, I can assure you that some are simply not as disciplined as the others.

[HopeHoops]

6. I know. My wife's a life-long teacher and she's had some real cases.

She also teaches karate and a lot of kids just don't cut it in the discipline department and/or dedication department. A lot of them are only in it for the black belt and then drop out and probably never practice again. She's a 3rd degree and all three of my daughters are 2nd degrees. It takes progressively longer after 1st degree for each next degree, and that's a good thing. The grand master basically views black belt the way most people view white belt - just getting started.