[ okay, that absolutely earns a laugh, even around her mouthful of marshmallow. at least she takes the time to swallow before speaking again.. ]

That sounds terrible. But no, my mother simply gave up on me after a time, which was quite fine by me. They had my brother, after all, to play the role of dutiful, well-spoken child.

[ at least she did learn to sit up straight, in the end, though she'd blame that more on her natural elezen posture than on any dedication to propriety.. ]