Everything is risky—future is uncertain. I would argue that reacting to everything you noticed carries its own set of risks. You may have reasons for preferring one set of risks to another, but that’s a choice between two alternatives, not between “risky” and “not risky”.
If the children notice this they may assume that you either condone, accept, bear or ignore it. None of these has positive effects.
Why no positive effects? It’s not obvious to me.
Consider that kids and adults have to navigate the real world where “I will pretend not to notice” is a common occurrence (a noticeable chunk of politeness is precisely this).
Consider that kids and adults have to navigate the real world where “I will pretend not to notice” is a common occurrence (a noticeable chunk of politeness is precisely this).
And another part of politeness is not abusing this by doing the annoying thing anyway. You (generic you, of course) know it’s annoying—your family has told you often enough.
Social skills are hard. I’d rather a child learn what not to do well before s/he eventually learns to interpret “you’re kinda annoying me but I’m not going to mention it.”
Especially since I, personally, still haven’t mastered that skill.
Everything is risky—future is uncertain. I would argue that reacting to everything you noticed carries its own set of risks. You may have reasons for preferring one set of risks to another, but that’s a choice between two alternatives, not between “risky” and “not risky”.
Why no positive effects? It’s not obvious to me.
Consider that kids and adults have to navigate the real world where “I will pretend not to notice” is a common occurrence (a noticeable chunk of politeness is precisely this).
A child is not a Skinnerian white rat.
And another part of politeness is not abusing this by doing the annoying thing anyway. You (generic you, of course) know it’s annoying—your family has told you often enough.
Social skills are hard. I’d rather a child learn what not to do well before s/he eventually learns to interpret “you’re kinda annoying me but I’m not going to mention it.”
Especially since I, personally, still haven’t mastered that skill.