“One of the greatest victories you can gain over someone is to beat him at politenessâ€
Josh Billings must have known something about child rearing when he composed the quote above over a century ago. I am at an utter loss for words (and that’s rare!) when Trent, my 3 year old rascal, replies to all my questions with a polite “no thanks”.
Allow me to demonstrate my point.
Mommy “Trent, eat your dinner please.”
Trent, casually “No thanks!”
Mommy “Trent, can you pick up your toys please?!”
Trent, politely “No thanks!”
Mommy “Trent, it’s time for bed.”
Trent, pleasantly “No thanks!”
As you can see, it’s as if he’s telling me: “I can beat you at your own game. Watch me and learn. Check.Mate. Your turn. I’m not disrespectful, I’m politely defiant to you Mommy.”
As I stutter to find the appropriate retort.
What would be your responses to my polite little rascal?
Josh Billings must have known something about child rearing when he composed the quote above over a century ago. I am at an utter loss for words (and that’s rare!) when Trent, my 3 year old rascal, replies to all my questions with a polite “no thanks”.
Allow me to demonstrate my point.
Mommy “Trent, eat your dinner please.”
Trent, casually “No thanks!”
Mommy “Trent, can you pick up your toys please?!”
Trent, politely “No thanks!”
Mommy “Trent, it’s time for bed.”
Trent, pleasantly “No thanks!”
As you can see, it’s as if he’s telling me: “I can beat you at your own game. Watch me and learn. Check.Mate. Your turn. I’m not disrespectful, I’m politely defiant to you Mommy.”
As I stutter to find the appropriate retort.
What would be your responses to my polite little rascal?
Ha ha…. what a smartypants the young man is…
I would say….
“Wow, I am so pleased that you are using your manners so nicely but here’s the deal…. try asking me for dessert and I’ll show you how polite I can be too…
Mommy Can I have dessert?
Mommy “No thanks”….
Oooh, I like that! Must use it next time! Thanks for the retort.
Ha, I can see my little guy doing that in about a year!
Cute.
Just tell him, “thanks for being so polite, but mommy is telling you, not asking you.”
Ya gotta love kids!
So far my little guy just says “no, don’t wanna”
I like that 1st response. I’m going to have to remember that, lol!