My Son, The Natural Born Diplomat

My near 7-year old son puzzles me...and he makes me proud. Ever since he could speak, he's been a little diplomat and I don't know where he gets it from.

Not that his Dad and I are insensitive brutes, but we don't take it to the natural extremes my son seems to.

When my son was two, he rarely said, "No."

If you asked him to do something or if he wanted something and he didn't, he'd say, "Tomorrow, not today," in a cute little sing-songy voice. It was a refreshing change from the tired old "NO!!!!" that comes from toddlers. Not that he didn't have his share of tantrums...LOL...he just wasn't into the word "No."

Even now, he always try to say things in a way that will keep from hurting feelings, particularly around food issues. And again, I don't know why.

If I make something that my mom gave me a recipe for, he inevitably says, "They taste different, but I like both of them."

Or if I cook something he doesn't like he says, "Mommy, can I finish this later?" or "I like it, but I'm not really hungry right now."

Although I think it's cute and very nice if he does it at a friend or family member's house, I had to set him straight. I told him it's nice that he tries to be polite, but when it comes to food I serve him, he can just tell me he doesn't like it. You don't have to spare your mama's feelings to such extremes. :-)