Ask Amy  Help 4-year-old through 'rude' spell  October 12,
2008|By Amy Dickinson  Dear Amy: I am wondering what happened to
children's manners these days. My 4-year-old preschooler
frequently has friends over who just astound me with their lack
of any manners.  One little girl entered the house, announcing,
"I'm the guest! Right, I'm the guest!" I suppose she thinks this
entitles her to play with everything and anything in the manner
she chooses.  As the play date progressed, she announced that
she was hungry and asked what we had to eat! I would be
mortified if my child asked for food on a play date. I have
repeatedly told her she may never ask, but may respond "yes,
please" or "no, thank you" if offered.  The worst thing is the
mother had come over to chat and stood by with a smile on her
face!  -- Perplexed in Connecticut  Dear Perplexed: I can tell
that this has really hit you where you live, but pronouncing a
4-year-old "rude" because she announces that she is "the guest"
and then says she's hungry makes