Embarrassing Public Encounters and Teaching Social Grace

March 21, 2:24 PMLA Motherhood ExaminerKimberley Clayton Blaine

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Have you ever been so embarrassed when your child makes a comment in public that is completely and utterly offensive?

One time in the drug store my 4 year old asked me out loud, “Mommy why are people so fat?”  I gasped with embarrassment and pulled him in close to quiet him.  I knelt down and said,  “I will answer you when we get into the car, okay honey?”

At the car I continued our discussion and explained, “that overweight people don’t want to be overweight, and it is not polite to talk about how people look in public, that it can hurt their feelings.”  I said if he ever has questions about people, to always feel free to ask me, but not in front of others, but in private. 

I like how my child appreciates diversity…  Though he asked "why are people so fat, and that can be embarrassing, the innocence of his questions demonstrates that he just sees it the same as something as simple as "why do people wear jeans?"

Scenarios with your child like this will have you looking back in time laughing, but will leave you breathless and unprepared at the moment.
 
Here are some ways to help teach your child social grace:

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