Ryan and I dated for 5 years, then had a year long engagement. During that time [especially early on] we had many discussions about our children and more specifically- discipline. During those talks he and I would also review how we would like our children to speak. Specifically, we recalled the very few teenagers we had met that impressed us with their ability to hold an intelligent conversation, shake hands when meeting someone, make eye contact during the conversation, and be mature enough to be in a room full of adults. We agreed 100% with each other that we wanted our children to be like those rare teens that stuck out in our memories. We decided it would be easiest to start from the get-go. So, when David, and again with Rachael, started talking all of those past conversation were put to the test. We have stayed strong in our beliefs and are proud of the way our children speak. Here's a few examples:
They say "No", not "Nope".
They say "Yes", not "Yep" or "Yeah".
They say "Yes" when being called, not "Huh?" or "What?"
They say "Hi", not "Hey"
They say "Please" when they want something
They say "Thank You" when given something
When addressing an adult they call them either "Ms." or "Mr." and then their first name. For example, our dear, sweet neighbors are Mr. Mike and Ms. Linda.
For the past year we've been working on adding "Ma'am" and "Sir" to their vocabulary. This seems to be the biggest challenge of them all. Not around the house, but when they are talking to other adults. Right now it doesn't come out automatically like the other words. So, I feel like I am nagging my kids and I don't want the other adult(s) to think I'm nit-picking. But, it's something that's important to me, so I have made it a priority to get them in the habit sooner than later.
I try my best, but I know sometimes I miss an opportunity to correct them when they forget [after all they're only 3 and 1 1/2]. So, I welcome other adults in my children's lives to correct them when they forget how they're supposed to speak so that one day our kids will be those rare, impressive teens.
I try my best, but I know sometimes I miss an opportunity to correct them when they forget [after all they're only 3 and 1 1/2]. So, I welcome other adults in my children's lives to correct them when they forget how they're supposed to speak so that one day our kids will be those rare, impressive teens.
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