A bit later in the day:
(Hillel takes Noam's kippah off his head. Noam smacks Hillel, gets put in time out. Eema heads in for a little what-went-wrong discussion).
Eema: You may not hit your brother.
Noam: But he took my kippah!
Eema: USE WORDS. We don't hit.
Noam: (considers this for a moment) Okay. But do I have to say please?
Eema: (tries not to laugh) Well, it's always nice to say please...
Noam: In school that's not the rule. In school if someone takes something I don't have to say PLEASE give it back!
Eema: Okay, you don't have to say please. But you can't hit!
Noam: (indignant) Eema, I don't hit anyone at school. I never hit at school. I only hit at home.
Um, great. Glad we had this conversation.
Now that's a fascinating issue, whether to say please when someone injures you. Does it indicate weakness that will cause others to take advantage in the future, or does it indicate a morally superior attitude of "please get over your issues that result in your need to take my stuff and give it back"? The dilemmas of parenting, לא עלינו! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove it!
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