Dr. Laura,

I wanted to share a funny moment that happened around my dinner table last night... I am sure you will appreciate my ten-year old daughter's words.

My daughter has poor table manners. She slurps her food, talks when her mouth is full and overall has poor posture while eating. I am working with her to improve her "manners".

I explained to her that people in the world will make judgments about who she is and how she respects herself by the way she behaves at table when eating. So I said to her last night: "Show me your wonderful table manners this evening!" She straightened up her posture and said "ok!"

Half way through the meal she was talking with her mouth full and reverting back to old "manners".  I gave her a "mom" look.  Her eyes met mine and she said, "I am sorry Mom... You're asking me to be a cat when I am a dolphin. So stop being mad at me for being a dolphin! I just can't eat neat!"

I starting laughing so hard I was choking on my dinner. Too funny! I think perhaps I have told her too many times to stop trying to run into a wall and expect a doorway.  It is what it is!  Thanks for the dinner chuckles.

All the best and respect,

Kate - my husband's girlfriend and my kid's mom