Let's Teach Manners!!!

[sweetpea532]

Twice in a day I ran into kids that had parents that should know better.

We went grocery shopping with all the kids. As we were leaving I offered my kids a granola bar. I asked " Who wants a granola bar?" I heard the usual chorus of " Me" then I heard another voice not of my own spawn say " I want one". Yes a total stranger child said they wanted a granola bar.  With her mother standing behind her. Are you kidding me? You are permitting your child to ask a total stranger for a snack?  I looked at the child and basically ignored her. I don't appreciate strangers speaking to my children so I repay the favor for others.

" Well can I have one or not?" seriously at this point I am looking for the camera. I am being punked.  I looked at her mother for some help here. Being that I didn't birth said child I don't really feel the need to say anything. So then my oldest ds steps in " My mommy is a stranger  to you and you shouldn't talk to strangers." 

My dh then said he was proud of me. I normally would have said something to the mom but I had too many kids with me and I wanted to set a good example.

After putting those groceries away I walked to another grocery store that sells the cereal that ds likes. I walked in to see a mom handing her son a bannana right off a bunch. Seriously people. Are manners really that hard to learn? Is setting a good example that hard?

When I ask my kids to do something I say 'please and thank you'. Not that hard. I treat my kids how I expect them to treat me and other adults. When adults are talking my son says 'excuse me'. Telling your child to stfu is not only rude but damaging. To hear a story about a butterfly is just as important as listening to the neighbor gossip about the bleep on the corner. In fact in my book I would rather hear the butterfly story my son wants to tell me more than the gossip.

The other day I was told by the kids' bus driver that I am the only parent on her route that she sees playing with her kids outside. How hard is it to play with chalk outside? To me it is more taxing on me keep yelling at the kids to play than play with them for a half hour drawing fireworks on sidewalk.

A picnic with my kids is way more fun than watching a tv show I could easily tape with the dvr.

I can read my book when they are sleeping or playing in the dirt. Dirt doesn't hurt. Ignoring them will.

Let's read a book about Dora and the Dolphins for the 100th time. Seriously there will be a day when your kids won't want to be seen in public with you. Or worse yet your voice will annoy the cheese out of their sandwhich.

Better yet let's have some patience to teach your kids manners so when they are in public you will be proud of the person they have become. Instead of annoyed they don't listen.

 

 

 

[dj5775]

Aug. 18, 2009 at 10:48 PM

I couldn't agree more. Also I'd like to add kids need to be more respectful. Not a week ago we attended a parade for veterens and I was disgusted at how rude children and teens were. Riding bikes and skateboards, weaving between the different sections in the parade. Not showing any respect to the men and women who served so long ago, every year it makes me mad to see this. Sorry for ranting!

[sew4heaven]

Aug. 28, 2009 at 11:40 PM

I agree with you totally...