Scenes from an Italian restaurant

M and I went to one of Leominster's fine ethnic eating establishments the other night. Seated next to us was a family of three: Mom, Dad and a little boy we'll call Sammy:*

Sammy: Fork.
Mom: No, you can't have it. (Turns to her husband and starts chatting about their days.)
Sammy (more insistently) FORK.
Mom: No, Sammy, you can't have it.
Sammy (looking like he's about to cry): FORK!
Dad: Why do you want the fork?
Sammy (with a completely blank look): FORK!

I'm no expert on raising kids, but:

1) What would the harm be in giving him the fork? He looked to be almost 4. If they were worried, they could have watched him carefully.

2) You do not try to apply reason when dealing with a little kid. Especially a very tired one.

He was good for the rest of the meal. I just question the way the fork request was handled. That kid was so tired, he looked ready to explode.

Name changed to protect the innocent.