Earlier this week my son called a kid a "weirdo."  I told him in no uncertain terms that was unacceptable, and asked how he’d feel if someone called him a "weirdo."  He apologized to the child. 

I can’t stand rude kids. I may be old fashioned in that respect but I was raised to look someone in the eye, shake their hand and be polite. There are friends of my children that I dread hosting for playdates, and those that are absolute pleasure. I tell my kids that being polite and respectful is the best way to ensure you’ll be invited back to a friends’ house.

If you sit in front of my kid on a plane, he won’t be kicking your seat the entire flight. He might kick it once or twice, but we don’t tolerate that behavior. I also don’t give them a pass on being mouthy to us or other adults or on name calling. We demand "please" and "thank you."  We insist on proper table manners. I also will not abide whining in any form.

Visiting with a friend recently I was shocked at how rude her kid was.  Not just the whiny pouty rude, but outright rude. I got the talk-to-the-hand motion and a "whatever" from her when telling her it was nice to meet her. She’s seven. 

The even more shocking thing was my friend laughed it off saying, “Oh I guess someone’s reached their limit today.” Huh?  I cut my visit short even though I’d have liked to catch up; I’d just had enough of her little terror, and needed to leave before I said something to her about it. The thing that really annoyed me about my friend making excuses for her rude child was that she was telling the kid that other people are less important than herself.  I understand kids reaching their limits, I have two kids.

My kids have been rude to people before, and I am quick to call them on it, like my son earlier this week. At times people have said, “Oh, it’s OK.” But to me it’s not. I am appalled when they behave that way, and make sure they know it.

I don’t understand people who let their kids behave like brats anymore than I understand those who let their kids win at games or insist that every kid gets a trophy.  I don’t praise my kids for behavior I expect from them. I also don’t treat them as my equal. My kids aren’t perfect but I can promise you they aren’t consistently the rude kids.