She's Got The Look

As I am sure you can imagine, when I was younger I never got in trouble. I was an absolute angel and parents could only hope their kids would be half as good as I was. OK Mom, stop laughing. I know you stayed up many nights while I was in high school just praying I would make in home in one piece, or even make it home. I recall that I may have been a little sassy at times to my mother and although I deserved a slap in the mouth for my tone, my mother never used physical force with me. Well, except when we were in public. You see, rather than embarrass me, my mother would do me a favor by kicking me under a table or pinching my arm. This was her way of saying, "straighten up miss thang", without having to say the words. Mom was gracious like that, but I did not realize it until I became a parent. Not only did mom use the under the table kick or pinch, she had a look. You know the look. The one that says, "you know you are doing something wrong or stupid and need to stop before you get in trouble or I embarrass you".


I had previously mastered this look with hubs for public settings. You know ladies, when your husband says something inappropriate or embarrasses himself and you are trying to tell him without words. Hubs is pretty good about recognizing this look but I recently realized that Little Man recognizes it too.

It is a glorious day when all you have to do is give the look and get results. Now I don't have to give him instructions multiple times. I don't have to worry about his hearing, because I know he sees me! Today I utilized the look at the dinner table and received an instant response. I heard angels sing and my mother's voice.

I know there will come a day the Little Man, like me, will get a little too big for his britches. He may do what I did to Mom and decide to call my bluff while in public. I was known to say to mom after one of her "reminders", "why are you kicking me mom?". This was not received well but mom rarely if ever pursued the issue until we got home. I am not sure I will have that much will power to keep my mouth shut. I may have to pull him by the ear to the ladies room and really embarrass him.

So tell me. What techniques do you use to get your kids attention without words?