How to bring up smart alec remarks from a young child while caring for elder in family?

As the others have said, teaching the child or tattling on him to his parents is not your job. Treating him respectfully and kindly would be setting a good example, but that is not a requirement, either.

If this is an environment you think would be too stressful, I'm sure you can find plenty of other employment opportunities.

I cried and told my Grandma I didn't want big boobs like hers. She laughed and laughed. And guess what-I got 'em!!!
I would think the boy was just testing his limits with you-seeing how you were going to react. How did you react? Is he still being mouthy? maybe he was anxious. Having a sick person in the house can be so stressful. And scary. I would be patient but if it got too out of hand I would say something to the parents. Good luck!

How old was the boy? He might have been trying to figure out what it means to have someone new come into the house every day. But maybe he is just a little snot.

It is not your job to teach him, but you can set an example of good behavior. Maybe respond, "No, I won't be. I have a family of my own. But maybe we'll become friends."

I remember as a snotty little smart-aleck saying to my LOVELY Sweet grandmother. "I'm smarter than you are" in a sing-song voice. That was just my saying of the day. I half realized that that was a mistake to say it to a respected and very smart elder. She saved my a$$ by saying, "I hope you are. Each generation is smarter than the last." She didn't humiliate me as I deserved, but she did teach me a lesson - in humility, and in treating others well even when they don't deserve it.

First of all, professional caregiving, and home health care providing is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. There are lots of options out there for you. Personally, I would try to befriend the little guy. I raised three outstanding adult males, and it's not that hard to outsmart a five year old. Maybe the kid feels threatened by you? Is he close to the family member you are caring for? If the family lives in the same house, are you also spending the night while they are residing there too? If you don't to or can't befriend the little guy, and he gets worse, I would go to the parents and kindly explain that he is impeding on your ability to properly care for their loved one. If they don't do anything, and make you feel like you've done something wrong, quit, and come back to California! There is plenty of work here. Do it before you get attached to the person you are caring for. It's much harder after that happens. You're not a maid or a servant, and families need to stop assuming caregivers are just ignorant, uneducated, servants! Nobody should be treated like that. Good luck.

No, you don't have a role in his life. His behavior is for his parents and only his parents. Just remind yourself that they are the ones that get to live with the results of their work- and even good parents end up with unhappy endings childrearingwise

My grandmother always said "People treat help so differently"

When my role with the local ladies' book review included arranging for people to set up and clean up afterwards, the janitorial company told me they were no longer interested in the job. Some of the ladies were so horrible to the workers that none of his people would do it anymore. I asked him how much it would cost if being treated rudely was in the arrangement. He doubled his charge and we agreed that amount included dealing with rude bossy elderly ladies. His workers were happy to sign up for double pay.

Are these people related to you? Do you want to be part of the family? The child is just repeating what he has heard from his parents. But I would think you are being hired as home health care provider and not a daycare worker. Will you have much contact with the child?

I have a good friend who does home health care. She told me she is treated like the maids in The Help. I was shocked. I would never do that, but that is me.

I understand why you would be annoyed at the rude little kid but how do the parents treat you. Sounds as if they are a bit arrogant. What makes them think you want to be part of their family? Let us know more about this situation. :)

Ignore the little monster and just do your caregiving job. You were not hired to be a teacher. He may observe your diligence and self-discipline as you carry out your duties, but depending on his age, this is not his realm. Maybe he'll go outside to play with his peers and leave you alone. Be polite and don't engage.