You know, I'm trying really hard to raise my children not to be douchebags.
I know. I oversimplify.
But seriously? Have you noticed how many people are douchebags? A lot.
Anyway. One thing I've taught my son to do since he was very, very small was to hold the door open for ladies when they are coming in or going out. Because I think he needs to be a gentleman, by God, and while he's around me at least, he's going to act like one.
Today as we were leaving the gym a young lady in her 20's was coming in.
My son, dutifully, stood and held the door open for her.
She barrelled past him and said nothing. Not "thank you". Not "oh what a delightful young man!". She didn't even smile at him.
Since I'm grouchy and haven't slept since 1998 and it also pisses me off when people are rude to my kids, I stuck my head through the door and hollered, "You're welcome!"
Because I'm classy like that.
As we walked through the cold dark parking lot, I griped about that lady and how she was rude. She should have said thank you! I'm so glad that we were put on this Earth to be her personal servants! Other random complaints! God!
Boy Child listened quietly and then said,
"Well mom, maybe she was just tired".
Well, okay. Maybe she was. I'm certainly tired.
And then he said,
"And you told me that we be nice to people not because they deserve it, but because it's the right thing to do".
I said that, didn't I? Darn me and this parenting thing! Gah!
And THEN he said,
"And you were kind of rude back to her, mom".
Ouch.
But you know, he's right.
So lady at the gym that I yelled, "You're welcome!" at? I apologize. That was foul of me. Maybe you are tired. Maybe you had your mind on other things. Maybe any other day or any other time you would have been polite. I shouldn't have shown out the way I did, and I'm sorry.
But next time? Say thank you to that sweet little boy holding the door open for you. And prove you aren't a douchebag like his mom.
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20 comments:
Awwww...it's funny how the little ones always catch us in our mistakes, isn't it? Well done with the teaching him the manner rules!!
What an awesome kid! This is the perfect example of how the good we teach them sometimes is enough to cancel out our bad examples.
I've totally said that("you're welcome" louder than I should have) to someone my daughter held the door open for when she was like 5 and the most darling thing in the world. :)
What a sweet kid!
Ahhh! The wisdom of children!! You see, you taught him much more than being polite. You taught him to care about other people!
Okay, #1, you are NOT a douchebag. But, you had a moment there.
...and you're raising two awesome kids, ya know??
That's so sweet! Looks like you're a better mom than you realized. It's a shame more parents don't teach their kids to have manners the way you do yours -- there are far too many mini-douchebags running around out there.
Ouch is right, but isn't it cool that he heard you when you were teaching him to be nice to people.
Thanks for adding to the "good ones".
~S
Yeowch. He TOTALLY called you out! But it's just proof positive that you're doing this mommy thing correctly.
Funny how things always come full circle in life, you teach your kids and they almost always teach you something in return.
What a great lesson for both of you! And please, you are NOT a douchebag...
I love, love, love when little boys hold doors open for me. I always make a big deal about it to them and give a big smile to the mom smiling proudly at their son. THANK YOU for teaching him that.
He's such an incredibly boy. Can't imagine how much more wonderful a man he'll be. Way to make the world a better place, hun.
Ooof and ouch and what a great kid :D
Woman, you did an awesome job with that one!
Ah, so young and yet so wise, You really have raised some great kids Chick :)
Oh, he told you!
(And I yell back at people too all passive agressive like that. You aren't alone.)
Sometimes I hate it when the short ones are right! But I really love it too. You are doing a great job.
Dadgum. I expect to have this conversation. And, I'm glad he feels it's his gentlemanly duty to keep doing it even if someone is rude. I am working on it with mine.
Wise beyond his years, no doubt.
He is such a wise and sweet boy. Some woman is going to be extremely lucky to end up with him.
I also shout out YOU'RE WELCOME when I've held the door and People just run past. most of them look shocked. Aholes.
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