As a child did your parents...

Question

Did they ever teach you it was improper to correct adults. I always thought this was stupid growing up and even now that i am an adult i still think it's stupid...if i'm doing something incorrectly i dont' care if a 5 year old tells me so. I mean obviously...there are some lines a child should not cross, for example nobody likes a know-it-all brat but if a child happens to hear me calling a guy bob when his name is actually steve and they tell me so...that's no biggie right??? what are your views???

Answer 1

I believe that we were taught not to embarrass guest by correcting them if front of other adults, my mom or did not mind if I corrected them in private.  Same with anyone to this day, I will try not to embarrass anyone.  Have a good evening.

Answer 2

I understand where you are coming from. Children should not correct adults if they don't know what they are doing. But if you call someone by the wrong name and the child knows the name, let the child speak up. Sometimes adults can learn from kids just as kids learn from adults. My daughters love teaching adults how to do things. Especially my 6 year old who learns things in school and can't wait to teach us or her little sister.

Answer 3

My 4 year-old does this to me. I accidentally called one of his friends by the wrong name and he put his hands on his hips and with an exasperated tone said "Mommy, his name is Ben." I agree, as long as they are not being bratty I am OK with it.  

Answer 4

honestly it doesn't bother me for a kid to correct me i mean if they know right from wrong then go ahead like me i correct people all the time i always corrected my mom as well its just how i was  

Answer 5

things like calling a person by the wrong name is why I call every one "Honey" or "Hon"!!! that way I don't have to worry about it.

But children about 5 yrs old should never speak out in public about anything, not ever!!! If they do they should have a bar of Ivory for lunch and be swatted for their impertinence. They grow up to be those nasty "knowitalls" that most people cannot stand to be around.

Answer 6

No. I was taught that it was always okay to express yourself as long as you're willing to stand up and back up your beliefs.  

Answer 7

I feel that whether or not it is imprper depends on the attitude which was used towards the adult making the mistake.  If a child displays a considerate attitude, then it is fine.  However, if the child is more of an I TOLD YOU SO kind of person or rude in any way, then it is inappropriate.

Answer 8

It is rude to correct adults with things like grammar or something, but as far as getting facts straight about a person's name, i don't see a problem with a child correcting an adult.  

Answer 9

Having worked as a teacher.  There were times when I showed the children how to do something and occassionally made a mistake in a demonstration and one of the kids would say 'teacher you forgot to do 'such and 'such' and I was so delighted because it showed me that they had understood and taken in the information I had given them.  We are all human and make a mistakes so lets be honest about it

Answer 10

No, my parents didn't teach me that.  I had to do what my parents asked me to do, but if they were incorrect on a fact, I was free to point it out.  This is the approach I advocate today.  I am a nanny, and I appreciate when the child I care for helps me remember things.  Like you, I would much rather her tell me that the guy is named Steve than remain ignorant.

If the child goes too far, you can just say, "When you tell someone they are wrong in front of other people, it can embarrass them, so only do it if it is very important."  It should be the same for adults and kids.

Answer 11

Are you sure you weren't interrupting a conversation and that is why your parents told you this? Conversation is going on blah, blah, blah, and little Billy butts in and says "his name is Bob, not Steve", and dad says "Billy please don't correct other adults".  You see? Yes, dad could have said "Billy please don't interrupt", but this is just another way to do it.

Answer 12

Yep, they taught me that.  My parents were old school, though.  I once got the worst spanking of my life for calling a neighbor by her first name instead of  Mrs.   I agree with you, there is a difference between a kid correcting an adult politely and respectfully, and being a know it all brat.