Finally Free, we are talking about little girls here. They need to be taught how to be polite. I'm sure Josie can rise to the task.
Am I being too sensitive?
by mrsjones5 40 Replies latest jw friends
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flipper
JOSIE- I think you handled it well and very appropriately by explaining to these girls that " please " and " thank you " are definitely words in the English language that should be used in communication with others. Good job. Like FHN said - you never know but perhaps these kids are not taught graceful social skills in their home. So you did them a huge favor by teaching them
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Finally-Free
Finally Free, we are talking about little girls here. They need to be taught how to be polite.
Kids around 8 years old should already know how to be polite and respect adults. Neither should the responsibility for teaching them have to come from someone outside of their immediate family. Parents should teach their own children the bare basics of living in a civilized society, and not assume they have the right to inflict their surly brats on others.
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Gregor
Raising a big family we saw all kinds of kids, shy, rude, sneaky, sweet and pleasant. But the ones that I really didn't care for were the Eddie Haskell types.
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ex-nj-jw
Kids around 8 years old should already know how to be polite and respect adults. Neither should the responsibility for teaching them have to come from someone outside of their immediate family. Parents should teach their own children the bare basics of living in a civilized society, and not assume they have the right to inflict their surly brats on others.
nj
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FlyingHighNow
Finally Free, we are talking about little girls here. They need to be taught how to be polite.
Kids around 8 years old should already know how to be polite and respect adults. Neither should the responsibility for teaching them have to come from someone outside of their immediate family. Parents should teach their own children the bare basics of living in a civilized society, and not assume they have the right to inflict their surly brats on others.
Should is the important word there, FF. Should. What if the parents were not taught how to be polite and assertive? Ideally, yes, parents will teach their own children. But what if they don't?
Kids need support and teaching from many more adults than just their parents. When I was a child, every parent in the neighborhood looked out for all of us kids. I remember distinctly that in our home it was the rule that we were not to use the "N" word. We got into terrible for trouble for that. Well my youngest brother got into the habit of calling other kids "N" butts. My mother didn't know about it. One day Scot said it someone else's front yard. The parents of the home were not happy about it. The mamma talked to him and then marched Scot home and knocked on our door. She lovingly explained what Scot was saying and that she liked him but didn't want him using such derogatory terms in her yard around her kids. She said she knew mother had taught us children not to use such terms. She told Mom she couldn't let it go because it's important that neighbors look out for everyone's kids. Then she told Scot that she did this to make sure he knew it was important and could not be overlooked. Mamma thanked her and then disciplined Scot. Scot stopped using the term and Scot turned out to have the sweetest disposition of six kids.
My grandson has many people who act as mentors in his life. I am very grateful all those who help me with him. He's not a perfect kid, but he's darn close and I make sure he knows how much I appreciate that.
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Lady Lee
I am flabbergasted. Way too many of you are willing to make excuses for these kids. I assume they watch TV, go to school, hang out with other kids, live in the world with the rest of us. it's not like "Please" and "Thank you" are secret words.
Good for you for letting them know what you expect from them. There is NO excuse for rudeness especially when you are doing them a favor.
Can we be too sensitive? Yes I think we can but I don't think it apples here.
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FlyingHighNow
Excuses are different from reasons. If a child is lacking in manners and politeness, your reaction to that child can be helpful or hurtful. Just because the child is not yours doesn't mean you can't help the kid out with a well thought out reaction. I responded much better to a firm, but kind and loving adult than one who freaked out and said and did things to make me feel shame. It's just as easy to use the time to help the kid as it is to use that time further alienate the kid from adults. I don't allow rudeness, but I use the opportunity to help the kid. I may run across that same kid when he or she becomes a teenager someday. I am hoping the kid will be well behaved because of the good example of many adults, rather than in trouble and maybe even dangerous. Never underestimate how even small acts of kindness and attention can make or break a kid. And if not from the kid's parents, then from other caring adults.
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Lady Lee
fhn I totally agree we can all have a hand in helping any child learn to respect us and others. It will only help them in the future
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