Teach Good Manners to your Kids.
It's important stuff!

Let's teach good manners to our kids!

Good manners and common courtesy seem overlooked these days -- even "out of fashion."
If your children possess even a modicum of good manners; they will outshine most kids.
It's alarming how seldom we hear "please" and "thank you" in everyday talk.

So, let's teach good manners and see our kids shine! :)

1. Model good manners at home.
Your children will watch you and model what you do. It's scary, but true. Explain to your children the value of speaking to one another with kindness and care. Speak to one another with respect and show common courtesy -- even at home.

2. Look at people when you speak to them -- make eye contact.
Extremely simple to do, and will go a long way.
Also, respond when spoken to -- this is another biggie, and basic in order to teach good manners.
No one wants to feel like they've just been blown off. If you can't talk right then; explain that briefly, and plan to touch base later.

3. Speak with respect to others and one another.
Speaking with respect simply means: Consider your words before they come out of your mouth! Speak kind words and speak to others the way you want to be spoken to.

Simple common courtesy and . . .The Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated :)

4. Use "please" and "thank you." Essential to Teach Good Manners.
Teach your kids to be grateful for everything -- there is so much to be thankful for each day. Teach them to express their gratitude by thanking others.
When someone drives them home from school or to an activity; a "thank you" is appropriate.
When asking for anything, use "please."

5. Consider the needs of others before your own.
In this "me, me" society, it's hard to teach our kids to think of others. If we follow this principle (consider the needs of others), everyone will be looking out for one another's interests and all will be cared for.

6. A reasonable request.
A common phrase in our home was "it's a reasonable request."
If someone asks for something, and it makes sense, i.e. you are nearest the object or whatever, then it's considered a reasonable request and do-able.

For instance, "Could you hand me the remote?"
"Could you bring me a glass of water?"

This concept teaches cooperation, giving to others, thinking of others before yourself, and general "living in peace" together. If it's possible, and within your means and ability to help someone; then, why not?
It simply makes good sense and will teach good manners.

7. Say "I'm sorry" when necessary and extend forgiveness.
No one is perfect nor expected to be perfect.
Allow for imperfections, and extend grace and forgiveness to others.
As a parent, be willing to say "I'm sorry" when necessary and admit your mistake.
This will model vulnerability to your children, teach humility, and set the stage for forgiveness and grace.
Being willing to say "I'm sorry" and on the flip-side, to offer forgiveness -- both huge building blocks to a peaceful soul.

When your children are young, they may be less inclined to say "I'm sorry" because their emotions can get the better of them at times.
Be patient and continue to instill the necessity to apologize to others if a wrong is committed.
Until they understand this; apologize for them and assure the "offended" you will deal with the problem.

8. Teach your children to pick up after themselves.
A very simple common courtesy to those they live with.
Each person is responsible for their things and actions.
If you take something out; put it away.
If you turn something on; turn it off.
If you make a mess; pick it up.
By doing this, you are teaching your kids responsibility for their actions and how to respect others by cleaning up their own mess -- an undeniable win-win :)

9. Teach your children to behave in public.
Again, good modeling of this will do a lot of the teaching for you.
Use appropriate language;
Demonstrate volume control with your voice and emotions;
Respond when spoken to;
Say "excuse me" when necessary;
Refrain from talking during church service, movies or other public performances;
Don't push or shove;
Or cut in line.
All basics to teach good manners!

10. Give up your seat for someone older than yourself;
or to a woman if you are a man or boy;
as well, to a child or woman carrying a child or with children. This serves as an extension of the principle to consider others needs before your own. Model this and teach your children which will reap huge dividends for both parties.
Open doors for others -- an act of chivalry for men and boys, and a simple kindness.

12. When greeting someone, say 'hello" or "good-bye" and/or shake their hand.
This is a very simple common courtesy which packs an effective punch.

13. Use "excuse me."
If you bump into someone, or need to get by, or have to interrupt something; simply say "excuse me."

14. Speak audibly.
Have you ever spoken to someone who grunts a response? Not very pleasant, is it? :) Answer "yes" or "no" in audible language, as well as any other spoken words. It's just good manners!

15. Don't be snotty.
You probably know that kind of person -- I do; they just answer everything with an edge or as if your presence is wasting their time. They're just snotty and I walk away from those encounters feeling yucky and wondering,
"Why do they have to say it like that?
So, be nice -- there's no need to make people feel bad by talking to them in a snotty tone when you don't have to. No one wants to hear sour words when they can be sweet :)
And, it's so much easier to be happy than to be grumpy, so do yourself a favor and be happy. Sounds pretty sappy, but it's true.

16. Smile.
The human smile covers a multitude of sins -- extremely simple and very delightful to the receiver. It is also good for the giver :)

17. Try not to interrupt other conversations.
Except in the case of an emergency, we should all be able to wait if you come upon people in the midst of a conversation.
Refrain from barging in on a conversation or eaves-dropping.
Teach your kids how to get your attention if something needs to be addressed right away -- like a simple tap on the leg.
It can be your signal that it's something serious and they need to interrupt.

18. Respect the property of others at home or away.
Teach the importance of respecting other people's property -- not to use something unless they ask permission and to use other people's property carefully as if it was their own.

Teach kids to respond within their community responsibly: Throw away trash, pick up trash, and respect public property.

19. Write thank you notes.
This is a tough one for me, but none the less, shows common courtesy and good manners.
The convenience of the internet has made thanking people a cinch, so use that in your efforts.
My mother-in-law still wants me to write notes, and my mother doesn't have a computer, so there are definitely those who will require a hand-written note.
Showing gratefulness will never be out of fashion! :) For some, a phone call will suffice.

20. If there are guests in your home; be a good host.
Chances are the guests are invited, so you're already being a good host or hostess.
Insist that your children are also good hosts.
Have your children greet the guests, and encourage them to talk for a while -- help your children think of questions they could ask.
The kids can be dismissed when appropriate.
If your guests have children, have your kids play a game with them and most certainly, make them feel comfortable in your home.

Of course, when you and your kids are guests in someone else's home; be sure the kids mind their manners.

Sometimes these are just issues we have to deal with; don't feel bad, we all have different areas we may have to double time with our kids.

21. When possible, arrive on time.
Make every effort to arrive on time, and in so doing, respect others time.
When late; apologize and try to correct whatever caused the lateness for next time. Change what you can :)

Having good manners and practicing common courtesy really sets people apart; yet, it is so very simple and do-able. Give your kids a head start by teaching them to be gentlemen and young ladies.

Teach good manners to our kids & enjoy the benefits,
Julie :)