Comments on: Angels in the Outfield, Devils at Home: I’ll take some private mayhem if it means good behavior in public.

By: April

April — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:58:02 +0000

You’ve captured the flavor of boys so well!

This felt so familiar, yet made me laugh out loud!
“So my secret is out: Those well-behaved boys trailing me in the mall like cute little ducklings? Just imagine the bigger one stomping angrily around the house and making his most determined “mad face” because I’ve asked him to shut the TV/go brush his teeth/stop banging on the piano. Just picture the little one telling me to “stop talking to me! don’t even look at me!” at the dinner table because I committed the grave offense of requesting that he eat one bite of hamburger.”

By: Sally

Sally — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:38:29 +0000

I have always said, if my children are well behaved outside of the house, in particular when they are at someone else’s house without me (grandma’s, a friend’s house), then I have succeeded (for now, anyway). I have had similar experiences with travel, whereby my son (before my daughter was born) would be amazing during a multi-day trip including plane ride, only to become a terror upon returning home. This is not uncommon. They hold it together until they feel they can “let it all out”. Are we adults all that different?

By: Jennifer Fink

Jennifer Fink — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:31:51 +0000

We were lucky: every time we’ve re-fi’d, a notary came to the house with papers for us to sign.

My boys, too, are angels outside of the house (most of the time) and something else (a lot of the time0 at home. Sometimes, it drives me crazy. But when I think about it, I realize that’s exactly what I’d pick if I had to choose.

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:37:53 +0000

Laura,

thanks for your reply! I’ll be checking out Outnumbered Mom. At least that’s one thing I’m not: outnumbered! I’m in awe of parents handling larger broods.

best,

Denise

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:22:16 +0000

I have always said I wanted my boys (all four of them) to be kids others wanted to be around. It has worked pretty well, so far. But it doesn’t come easy, does it?

Great blog! Come visit me, too!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:16:59 +0000

Denise – I almost came off with a chide comment of “that won’t last” but heck … you never know! My 10 year old son was the same as your boys. His friend’s parents use to say how well behaved he was, how polite, and certainly always wanted him to come back “anytime!” But boy … could he put on a show at home! Now, depending on the situation and where he’s at, the devil makes his appearance in public as well. I once told him after sitting through an afternoon at his elementary school that I understood why he was so ornery at home – he had to let off steam somewhere because he was so well behaved at school! I’ll gladly take the tyrant at home (most days) and the saint in public because it reminds me that he DOES know how he’s suppose to act! Now we just have to work a little harder on his behavior at home!

By: Emily Rogan

Emily Rogan — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:19:43 +0000

Denise,
I’m with you on this one. I was always amazed when my kids’ teachers would tell me how well-behaved my kids are in class, because at home with us? At times, beastly. But my mom, the child psychologist, always told me that’s what we want as parents; our kids should be well-behaved out in public, but feel free in their own home to let loose and yes, even be fresh (horrors!) from time to time. Similarly, Bobby taught our kids to shake people’s hands and look them straight in the eye when being introduced. I poo-pooed it then, but now feel so proud when adults comment on our kids’ good manners.
Emily

By: Bridget

Bridget — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:22:15 +0000

I can’t believe it took 2 hours to refinance! That is crazy. It should take 60 minutes tops. Oh well! At least the kids behaved.