My husband and I have been married for 15 years and are raising our 10-year-old son. My husband has always been a gentleman and we are teaching our boy to do the little things that matter.

Earlier this summer, I was dropping my son off at an art class. There is a set of double doors to enter the building and he opened one of the big heavy doors for me.  I walked through saying "Thank you, Sweetie." The woman behind us tried to take the door from him telling him how heavy it was, but he declined her offer. I told her he was fine; he was doing what he should do. Her daughter ran through the door and opened the second door. The woman laughed and said "she won't be out-done." My son tried to take the door from the little girl, but she stood behind it. I nodded to my son and we both walked through. I looked at the mother and said "I am trying to raise a gentleman." She looked at me as if I had three heads.

A few days later, my son held the door for this same woman and she said a simple thank you. It can be an up-hill battle with women like that who are raising girls, but we continue to do our best to instill this gentlemanly attitude in our son.

Thank you for your wise advice.

Lisa