HELP, I like need a like intervention

He has to pay you (nickel, dime, penny?) for each. Does he have an allowance, any sense of money?

Take away 'x' amounts of tv, computer, game time.

Make him clean something.

I'd argue that properly used, financial motivation is not only very effective, but helps prepare kids for life, when they get like paid at their job or something.

ignore it.  He won't always butcher the english language and I would argue he is too young to really get it.

at least we've passed the phase where 6 months ago he looked at me just said:

"Dude"

I know some adults who never made it past the "dude" phase.

Sweet.

In a 5 year old, while the "like" overusage is annoying...he's 5, and all his little friends probably talk similarly (which is where he probably picked it up).  Now, if he were 23, a college graduate and used the word "like" for every other word, then you just kick him. (I work with a 23 y/o recent college grad who does this...can you tell?  She knows her stuff, but the constant use of "like" makes her sound, well, like an imbecile. Or someone from the valley.)

 A few million studies (hyperbole) have proven that negative reinforcement never works long.  (like doing something negative every time he says it)

Instead, just say pardon me?  and have him repeat what he said without the word "like"  then praise his correct use of language.

K

Would it work as well if I screamed every time you used "I" when you should use "me"?

[hijack on]  My wife's two cousins, one who was about 15, their Dad (my wife's uncle),
my wife and I, all drove out to Colorado to his condo in Breckenridge.  The trip took about 17 hours, one way (started just outside the Illiana border).  My wife's cousin, the 15-year old, was a non-stop talker, with a habit of using "like".  Imagine a 17 hour trip listening to that.  I am totally serious here.  And then there was the return trip.  We tried to cure her of the habit.  We weren't successful. [/hijack off]

heh heh 

Aquagirl hit the nail on the head. I call it the "Maggpie theory". Show a child a shinny object or funny catch phrase and that's all they will focus on forgetting everything they did before.

Oddly enough...I find it also works on my wife....

 "Look at the shiny object!" :-)