Dear Mrs. McVeigh,
Now that the fall sports season is here, please remind your readers of some basic etiquette guidelines for those spectators who are there to enjoy the games. Here are some of my pet peeves.
• Standing up in front of everyone and blocking the view of those behind you. (You don't see people standing up in their seats at the movies.)
• Talking loud on your cell phone.
• Yelling at the referees during the game.
• Yelling at one of the players during the game.
• Coaching from the parents during the game.
• Letting small children run wild.
• Booing the opposing team.
Sincerely,
A Sports Fan
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Birthday Party Punishment
Dear Mrs. McVeigh,
I have a child who has demonstrated some naughty behavior over the past two days, which has not been remediated by our discipline strategies. She was told that if her behavior did not change, she would not be permitted to engage in any fun activities this weekend. The behavior worsened, so she lost her fun activities. The problem is one of the activities was a birthday party on Saturday that I already committed to attending. I always tell the kids that I mean what I say and I say what I mean, but now what? Is there an etiquette rule about such situations? I hate to leave the birthday child and the birthday parents in the lurch, but I also hate to look like a flaky blow-hard in my child's eyes. Thanks for any clarification you can provide.
Best wishes,
Rude, but Well-Meaning Mama
Dear Well-Meaning Mama,
I think that it is fine taking away the birthday party. The parents of the birthday child should understand. You can take it a step further by having your child go to the birthday child's house either before or after the party and apologize to the birthday child and parents for not attending. She can then explain why she suddenly cannot attend, and she can give the child the present. This will make a big impact on her, and she will think twice about her behavior. It will also teach her about RSVP/party etiquette.
I have a child who has demonstrated some naughty behavior over the past two days, which has not been remediated by our discipline strategies. She was told that if her behavior did not change, she would not be permitted to engage in any fun activities this weekend. The behavior worsened, so she lost her fun activities. The problem is one of the activities was a birthday party on Saturday that I already committed to attending. I always tell the kids that I mean what I say and I say what I mean, but now what? Is there an etiquette rule about such situations? I hate to leave the birthday child and the birthday parents in the lurch, but I also hate to look like a flaky blow-hard in my child's eyes. Thanks for any clarification you can provide.
Best wishes,
Rude, but Well-Meaning Mama
Dear Well-Meaning Mama,
I think that it is fine taking away the birthday party. The parents of the birthday child should understand. You can take it a step further by having your child go to the birthday child's house either before or after the party and apologize to the birthday child and parents for not attending. She can then explain why she suddenly cannot attend, and she can give the child the present. This will make a big impact on her, and she will think twice about her behavior. It will also teach her about RSVP/party etiquette.
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