Props for the mommy-personage...

[NotSoInnocent]

I got a compliment the other day.

The 4 heathens and I (7 y/o, 4 y/o, 1.5 y/o and a newborn) went to the county clerk's office to pick up the youngest's birth certificate.

My oldest likes to get the door for people... and is very polite about it. (Can we say "good upbringing"?)

As we're coming in she politely holds the door open for a couple of people coming in and going out at the same time. They mutter their "thanks" and she chirps "You're welcome!" with a bright and cheery smile.

All three of the girls proceed to the waiting area and quietly take seats (even the 1.5 y/o climbs up on her own and sits nicely) while I park the newborn in his stroller next to them and go up to fill out the forms I need to get the birth certificate.

They waited patiently while I stood in line and paid for the proof of my son's birth. Then, as we were leaving, I asked my oldest to get the door for me. She smiled and said "Yes, Momma." I said "Thank you very much." and she replied with her usual happy "You're welcome, Momma."

I hear, from behind the clerk's counter, "Ma'am?" and I turn around a little quizically, thinking I may have left something behind. "Yes?", I said.

A council member had watched the whole thing from the office and had a look of shock on her face as she spoke.

Her: "I've never seen such well behaved children in my life! How did you get them to behave like that??"

Me: *grinning a bit* "Well, they know that I expect them to behave when we're out in public, and won't put up with them being rude, so they behave."

Her: "I just have to say thank you. Your kids have the kind of manners that most people don't bother to teach their children anymore."

Me: "I wouldn't have it any other way."

As we walked out to the car I explained to the girls that good manners are always appreciated... and got to hear the best thing ever from my oldest.

"But, Momma, isn't everyone supposed to behave?"

Yes... yes, they are... but they so seldom do.

Just one more reason to love my little heathen children...

[Der Cute]

Woohoo! Score one for the family!!!!!

NSI, how's Boogerbutt doing? He sleeping/eating ok? Give an extra high five from Cutenoob to the other munchkins - that's a good job!

Keep it up kids, it will help you as an adult.

Cutenoob

[BookstoreEscapee]

"But, Momma, isn't everyone supposed to behave?"

That is too cute! Kudos to you for being a great mommy :)

[Banrion]

YAYYY!!!! :grats:

[NotSoInnocent]

NSI, how's Boogerbutt doing? He sleeping/eating ok? Give an extra high five from Cutenoob to the other munchkins - that's a good job!

The Booger is doing great! Sleeps well and eats like a hummingbird... several times his weight a day. lol At his one week check up, unlike 98% of babies, he'd actually GAINED weight! Almost half a pound! And not even a hint of jaundice, which the doc was a little worried about since he was a couple of weeks early. :D He's a healthy baby... and obviously the mommy juice is good for him. *grins*

The girls are actually cleaning their room right now (gasp*shock*surprise) and the oldest is constantly wanting to help clean the other rooms as well. Of course I think that's just because she doesn't want to keep cleaning her own room... :lol:

[iradney]

That's it. WE HAVE TO CLONE YOU AND YOUR KIDS!
Or maybe get you on Oprah. You have four heathen children :) and they're beautifully behaved in public. This is rare, rare thing...
*worships*

[NotSoInnocent]

That's it. WE HAVE TO CLONE YOU AND YOUR KIDS!
Or maybe get you on Oprah. You have four heathen children :) and they're beautifully behaved in public. This is rare, rare thing...
*worships*

:o:o:o You made me blush...

Though I wouldn't mind being on Oprah... I hear she gives great gifts to cool families. (And, boy howdy, could we use some cool stuff... but that's another story entirely.)

And to think that my children have never had any of the "must-haves" that kids think they will die without.

They have never owned a video game system, unless you count the educational V-tech thing that a friend got them for Christmas last year. (That they've played MAYBE 7 times since then.)

Their clothing has always been either Wal-Mart clearance stuff or Goodwill/Thrift shop finds/hand-me-downs from family or friends. Unless I've made their outfit myself. (Or broken down and got them something "gothy" from HotTopic or Spencer's.)

They watch, at most, 8 hours of tv a week. And that's usually shows like CSI or something.

They don't get the "cool" shoes... or the newest toys...

In fact, they rarely get anything new. And they actually understand that we just don't have the money for that sort of thing.

They are joyful when given something "special", even if it's just a Happy Meal from McD's. There have been years when birthdays got them a single gift, or when Christmas was a big meal with their favorite foods.

But what is so shocking and amazing that I occasionally tear up....

They are always wanting to share/give their toys/books to other children!

Even when those kids obviously have been given the newest and best of everything.

Not only are my heathens well behaved (at least in public ;) ) but they are generous as well...

Despite the jokes of "loving my kids roasted, salted, and covered in chocolate" or the "pesticide" joke....

I love my heathens.



And now for the hormonally challenged mommy tears to commence::cry:

[myswtghst]

I...just...wow. You are awesome. I wish there were more people like you in the world. Not only do you not pollute the world with ill-behaved children who don't know any better because their parents never taught them any better, you also are not breeding future SC's. Major props, because even without my own children, I know raising them isn't easy, and you are doing a phenomenal job. :D

[GyroKat]

You're a great mum, obviously.

I was raised by a mother much like you, and we grew up being extremely poor, never having all the new and fancy stuff, and you know what? We didn't really care anyway, we just shared the few toys we had between us and got along swimmingly. Very little sibling rivalry, as there was few things to be jealous about too. We were always excited about the smallest things, like having dessert after dinner or something. As an adult, it has made me an extremely strong person who never cared about fashion and following the other mindless sheep, and who has a mind of my own. Being polite has also always been a good thing for me, since it makes people react to me in a positive way right from the start.

Your kids are awesome because of you ;)

[digilight]

As a father who is always trying to teach his kids to behave, and do the right thing. Opening doors for people, expecially women (I was raised to be a gentleman, I will raise my son the same way) it is always very nice to see other parents with the same beliefs and morals for their children.

The wife and I will notice a family with well behaved children at restaraunts or whatever and comment on them quietly to ourselves. Isn't it kind of sad that the well behaved ones seem so far and few between anymore that we actually notice it like a breath of fresh air sometimes.

Anyways, good for you, and good for your girls. Heres a special treat for you....
http://www.delicedefrance.co.uk/dynamic/img/Giant%20Oatmeal%20&%20Raisin%20Cookie.jpg

which wouldnt be complete without a nice....
http://www.displayit-info.com/food/images/drinks/2107.JPG

[MadMike]

My son is the same way. He's very polite out in public. He saves all the smart-assed behavior for me at home. :D

Seriously, even when he was little, he was usually quite well-behaved. I took him to a shelter one time, when he was a few months short of turning four, to look at cats because ours had suddenly and unexpectedly died. We were there for awhile before we picked one out, and he remained calm and quiet the whole time as he followed me through the building.

As I was filling out the forms so we could take our new kitty home, one of the volunteers complimented me on how well-behaved my son was, and that he was the most well-behaved little boy they had seen in there in a long time. She told me that a lot of the kids that were in there made all kinds of noise and scared all the animals, and of course the parents didn't do a thing about it.

It was nice to hear I was doing something right. :)