My Sweet Southern Boy

Cole is definitely becoming a southern boy.

Today after school, he took something from another boy and made him cry. On the car ride home, he ignored my scolding, so I stopped the car, made him look at me, and told him how his behavior was wrong. When I finished, I asked if he understood and knew how he should act instead.

He hung his head and quietly replied, "Yes, ma'am."

What?! I almost laughed. I have never heard him say that before.

It makes me wonder...What did he do at school to be taught to respond that way since he has only said it when being disciplined? Hmmmm.....

I probably should teach the boys to respond to adults that way, because many southerners think it is rude for children not to say ma'am or sir. But all I can think about is the boy who moved to my elementary school from Georgia. When he called a teacher "Ma'am," she thought he was being fresh and punished him. Poor kid was so confused.

After five years here, I'm still startled by being called "Ma'am," so I doubt I'm up for teaching southern etiquette. Perhaps there are enough northern transplants in the area that the teachers are used to Yankee rudeness.

I think I'll be okay if he starts saying "Ma'am" to me since it's meant respectfully. Now I need to adjust to his southern drawl.