Quote: I could tell he was more worried about saying the 'wrong' thing and blowing it. So I said to him:
"Honey, this would be a really good time for you to practice your verbal expression."
I understand the importance of the EC to you at moments like this. You did a good job of explaining it. But everything would depend on the nuances of voice and body language in this exchange. Just reading it cold, it makes me think of parents who prompt their kids in a rising inflection, "Now what do you say?" and then pat them on the head and give them the treat after they say, "please."
