The Princess and the Brat
This is crossposted from a comment I made. But, it honestly feels more at home here. tldr, my feelings on bratting in my dynamics.
For me, my dynamics are based on obedience first and foremost. I am someone who has power because you choose to give it to me. I don't like bratting because it undermines that.
I like to style myself as a Princess living in a fancy manor with maids to serve me. I'm not physically more powerful than you. You work all day cooking, cleaning, doing the yard work, and I spend my time on creative things. Any maid in my house could physically overpower me. That's just not where my authority comes from.
No, our dynamic comes from your earnest desire to serve me. Because service is fulfilling for us both. Because you need to, deep in your soul. To see me happy. To care for me. Baths, good food, high protocol service like speaking correctly and taking the proper poses, etc. All of these things improve my life immeasurably, and I'm incredibly grateful to you for serving me in that way.
What we have comes from you wanting to give that to me. Your submission is something you give me. Your mind, your body, your heart, and your soul. I have chains around your heart. So, playfully saying "What if I didn't?" doesn't turn me on. It makes me sad.
Now, that's not to say that playful banter and poking fun is entirely off limits. Having a personality isn't the same as being a brat. But, when it crosses a line into challenging our dynamic, it's time to step out of that dynamic and have a chat.
Oh, and naturally other D-types out there totally feel differently and that's okay too! If it has a place in your dynamic, that's awesome. But, this is how I feel about it in mine.