Miss Manners

Dear Mackenzie,

As the littlest one in a family of six people, you probably feel as if you have to be louder and more forceful than your siblings in order to be heard. I am proud of the way you speak up for yourself but you can be a bit aggressive, so I have been teaching you how to be kinder. For example, when someone is in your way, you say, "Move!" but I tell you to say, "Excuse me."

Last night, Second GuhGaw and I were reading together on his bed and you wanted to squeeze in between us. You pushed him and yelled at him, "Move! Move! Move!" I told you to be nice so you switched gears: You pushed him and yelled, "CUE ME! CUE ME!"

Umm, that's not quite how we do it . . .

Love,

Mom