The boy flashed his V-sign to surprise his mom, thinking it would keep her away from him at a school primary nativity show.
Nikki Tarney (39) said Frankie was six years old when she told her that Frankie wanted to leave the stage so he could play one of the wise men.
Although he was not aware of its significance, the boy made the gesture while being ‘under pressure’ to appear in the spotlight.
Ms Tarney captured the moment inadvertently on camera. Steven was silently laughing as Ms Tarney urged him to stop.
Two-year-old mother of two said that some parents were stunned by her antics, but that no teachers from the Catholic school saw it.
After it was posted as a “memory” on her Facebook, she shared Frankie’s 2019 Nativity Play image.
Frankie was now eight years old and six when he made this gesture to the audience. He didn’t know what it meant, but he felt ‘under pressure’ because he was in the spotlight.
Nikki Tarney (pictured alongside Frankie), 39. She accidentally captured the moment on film and said that her son, Frankie, was eager to be off-stage while he played one of the wise men.
Frankie’s picture, which is now aged eighteen, was shared online and has received more than 11,000 shares, likes, comments, and shares.
Ms Tarney from Littleborough in Greater Manchester said that her son is not socially active and prefers to be alone.
“He hated being the star, but he was used to being a donkey or sheep.
He said that he felt like people were watching him after a song had ended.
“What has he done?” I thought to myself as I looked at him. This was not a short V, it was an extended V that went on for a while. For quite some time, he was there.
“I quickly scan the room looking for someone to look at and said, “No that’s not naughty. Please put your hands down.”
“I was shocked, I don’t think you want your child swearing in public.” Added the nurse. The school is Catholic and very strict.
“We noticed a number of faces staring at me, as though to ask if my kid had done this. Some people weren’t aware because they were so busy with their kids.
Ms Tarney, from Littleborough, Greater Manchester, pointed the finger of blame on daughter Sophia (both pictured with Frankie), then 10, for teaching him the gesture
I couldn’t focus for the next part of the play. It felt like forever.
“It was pressure, being embarrassed, and it was all that was going through his mind. He didn’t take off his pants.
Ms Tarney, who lives in remarketing executive partnership Graham Sunderland (48) and their 12-year-old daughter Sophia said that she was certain it wasn’t an accident peace sign but rather a two-finger salute.
Sophia (then 10) was the one she blamed for the act.
Ms Tarney said that “I recall thinking, let the ground swallow me up.” As Steve and I were shaking, wobbling and moving up and down, a couple of moms began to giggle.
Above, the nurse said that she was shocked by her child swearing. The school is Catholic and very strict.
“I did not want Frankie seeing us. It would have created a disturbance if we continued looking at one another. One of my teachers did hear it, but she denied that she saw anything.
Frankie, who now understands that this gesture doesn’t belong at school, had a good laugh when his mom showed him the picture.
Ms Tarney stated that Frankie was open to it on Tuesday. He laughed because he now knows what it’s like.
She posted the photo online, with the caption “Don’t these just make you proud.”
The snap was hilariously shared by social media users who recalled similar stories from their childhoods.
One person wrote, “A wise man indeed”, while another comment, “This is comedy gold classic. What a picture.”
The third said: “This has made me feel good!”A fourth added: “You should keep this photo in your wallet for the time he turns 18.”