May 31, 2006 - Wednesday
Jeremy's gotten into this habit of putting both of his elbows on the table while he's eating. Admittedly, it's probably because he's barely tall enough to reach the table without his booster seat and it's probably a little tiring to hold his arm up while he eats. At least that makes sense for his right hand. I think his left elbow is there just to balance, but I'm not sure. Whatever the reason, it's not really a good habit and we've been telling him that it's not polite at the table. And, as is the case with many things like this and children, the message needs considerable reinforcement, often several times during a single meal. Out of admitted frustration, I have taken, on some of those occasions, to reaching over and lifting his elbow off the table, not, I would say, in any sort of rough way, but certainly deliberately at times. So, tonight, wouldn't you know, after I was done with my dinner and sitting finishing my cranberry seltzer, I ended up with my elbows on the table. Harry noticed and reached over and pushed my arm. "You're right, Harry, I shouldn't have my elbow on the table," I said, but it was a double hit. Not only was I bagged for my bad table manners, I had apparently taught Harry that reaching over and touching someone's elbow was the way to fix it. They learn, these little people do, don't they?


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