After reading their menus, each member of the family placed an order.

Dad:  “I’ll have the garlic veal with fried rice.”
Mom:  “I’ll have grilled chicken with the chef’s salad.”
Tommy:  “I’ll have a corned beef sandwich with extra pickles.”

Mom hastened to interrupt, as she handed the menus back to the waitress, “Oh, don’t mind him, Tommy here will have a hamburger with fries, that’s what he always has.”

Several minutes later the waitress returned with a large tray of food.  She handed Dad the veal, and Mom got the chicken.  Then, she placed a corned beef sandwich in front of Tommy.

“MOM!  DAD!”  Tommy shouted in excitement.  “She thinks I’m REAL!”

~~~~~

Note: I read this story years ago, although I can’t recall where – do enlighten me if you know the source!

What can we as parents learn from this anecdote?  Does this story trigger any painful memories from your childhood?