[email protected]

In a message dated 6/8/2003 10:37:58 AM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
> Good point.
> I originally thought the boy was waving the stick *at* the two year
> olds and wouldn't respond to verbal input, hence my position that I
> would take it.
> If he was just playing with it in a dangerous way, and was open to
> the suggestion to move the play elsewhere, then I think taking the
> stick away would be totally unreasonable.

Yeah, same here.
I thought safety was the issue and the boy was not being reasonable about
moving it elsewhere. Sounds like he's a very active boy that inadvertantly
annoys people....he doesn't have a chance! Poor guy.

Ren


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[email protected]

In a message dated 6/8/2003 10:37:58 AM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
> He, father-in-law, grabbed Dallen's toy and said "you can't play with that
> until you eat all your food."

My Dad saw Jared loading up a dish of ice cream while dinner was cooking, on
one of his visits down here. He said "Jared, your Mom won't want you to have
that right before dinner." Jared said that Mom didn't mind. My Dads instant
response was "Jared, you're fibbing me" to which I replied (from the other room)
"He's FINE Dad".

And My Dad is an incredibly cool parent in SO many ways. He does not believe
in spanking or shaming, but he still has some old fashioned responses to food
issues.
I explained my position on the food thing, he seemed amused. But I think it
helped open another door when he saw Jared eat dinner with the rest of us!

Ren


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[email protected]

In a message dated 6/8/2003 2:29:52 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
>
> <<>In fact, our kids have been taught (yes, taught) to say "Thank you
>
> >for the food. May I please be excused?"

My kids have too. Without anyone making them.
They hear my dh thanking me for a meal all the time. He truly appreciates
someone cooking for him since he doesn't like to. And my kids truly appreciate
it.
It's all about trust.
I totally trust that they will pick up on gratefulness if we are acting
grateful.
I totally trust that they WANT to fit into this world, and with a gentle
reminder they will figure out different manners.
I don't have to "teach" coercively with manners any more than I have to with
math or any other real life learning.

Ren


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