Do you require you children to answer you with Yes, Sir; No Ma am - ect.
Or do you allowe them to give you a "yea" or "nope"
Why or why not.
Salty
Yes Sir, No Ma am
Discussion in 'Polls Forum' started by Salty, Jun 10, 2010.
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My children are required to say yes/no Sir/Ma am
5 vote(s)22.7% -
As long as it is a full yes or no
3 vote(s)13.6% -
Even if they say yep or nope, as long as they answer
1 vote(s)4.5% -
Makes no difference to me
4 vote(s)18.2% -
I'm not a parent, but if I was, I would require it
5 vote(s)22.7% -
Other answer
4 vote(s)18.2%
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I have two grown sons. When they were kids I didn't require Sir/Mam answers as long as they were respectful when they answered. That was the key for me. You can say Yes Mam with an eye roll and an attitude, and be in lots of trouble with me! LOL
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JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
We've taught them not to say "yeah" (boy, is that a hard habit to break). If it's no, then it's almost always "No Sir/Ma'am" but if it's yeah...er, I mean yes, then we'll accept other ways of addressing us, as long as it's respectful.
Yes, Dad/Daddy/Mom/Mamma is fine.
On the other hand, it's always Yes/No Sir/Ma'am to their granparents and great-grandparents.
And just to beat you to the follow up question, no, they're not allowed to call adults by their first name. -
For us, it was usually ma'am/sir to others. To us, it was yes or no. UNLESS, we were attempting to emphasize authority. They told me later that when I told them to use "sir", they knew I was really serious. :thumbsup:
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Being respectful is one thing, but there is no reason to require "sir" and "ma'am."
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I have always been under the impression that "sir" and "ma'am" are culturally Southern. Where I grew up we did not have a choice, it was "sir" or "ma'am". I see nothing wrong in teaching children to be polite.
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Being reared in the south, I learned "sir" and "ma'am" real quick.
My girls know when I ask them to do something, the only acceptable reply is "yes, ma'am!" This tells me they heard the request, er, order, and will obey. They don't have to say sir and ma'am in other conversations, BUT I expect it when they are told to do chores.
One thing I cannot stand is when you say something to a kid and they reply with "Huh? What?" To me, that is the height of rudeness. The phrases "Huh? What?" and "I'm bored" are not allowed at my house, or in the classroom when I taught school. -
JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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If your children say they're bored, you need to hear them. They might just be complaining, but if they truly are bored, that means they are disengaged with the world around them. Later on, that kind of attitude leads to drugs, alcohol abuse, etc.
We don't live in the moment these days. We are consumed with filling the space with TV, video games...maybe even Baptist Board. We need to smell the roses, hear the clock tick. We can only meet God in the present moment.
It's not helpful to pester your children about these things, but they will see your example.
Needless to say, "bored" is the worst possible swear word in my classroom. -
JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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A couple of folks mentioned the military - is in being military kids. Of course, as soon as you join the military you are required to call officers as Sir/Ma am. Why? To teach respect for authority.
I contend we have a responsibility to do the same for our children and we are letting them down if we don't -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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It was the early 1960’s, I was in 4th grade.
My class had become disruptive and the teacher was unable to control us (imagine that!).
She called in the principle, who had a reputation as a tough disciplinarian.
I had a friend in the class who was a military kid, recently transplanted from South Carolina into the Cincinnati region.
The Principle ranted and raved at us, “You kids need to mind the teacher!”
“Yes, sir”, Stephan P. answered.
The Principle threaded us with bodily harm and continued his ranting, “You need to stay in your seats”
“Yes, sir”, my friend answered again.
“And you need to mind your manners”
“Yes, sir!”
It went on awhile more. Finally the Principle had just about enough of the young whippersnapper, and said angrily, “%?$@, will you stop saying “yes sir!"
Without a thought my friend answered, “Yes sir!” ... and then wilted,
He just couldn’t stop himself.
Rob -
Faithgirl -
I teach at a school that is largely made up by children of Mexican immigrants. At the beginning, I was frustrated to no end by the kids who would not look at me in the eyes when I was talking to them. I thought they were being aloof and disrespectful.
One of my colleagues let me know that in hispanic tradition, children are taught to look down or away when being addressed in that manner.
So these kids were doing what they had been taught all along.
It seems to me like we should stop worrying so much about this issue. If you have children, teach them to respect others in the ways you see to be appropriate, but don't fail to realize others might not agree with you...and that is okay. -
I have met teachers from other parts of the country who thought children were being smart-mouthed when they said sir or ma'am. Their experiences with it were uncommon and negative.
I've always been happy with a polite yes or no. I do want the real words though and not some sloppy substitute. -
JohnDeereFan Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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