Are Manners a Thing of the Past?

Manners Are A Must

So you can't figure out why your kid talks back, doesn't seem to be able to want to follow directions, won't go to sleep at night, and makes everything into a battle. Your sweet child has just asked for a glass of milk in the middle of dinner without saying please and demanded that you wash out his cup first. And you do it without saying a word!

It's time to beef up your manners. And if your child is approaching age five it may be more of a challenge. Remember by age five children have already developed much of their character. 

It's important to start on manners from the time a child is born. (I suggest practicing well before that) And being consistent will help everyone transition more smoothly when your child hits the terrible twos. If you feel like a broken record - it means you are doing it right and thats when you should begin to see some positive results. So don't give up, keep enforcing and encouraging your child's etiquette.

Concentrate on the basics, such as excuse me, please and thank you and use them whenever there is an opportunity to do so.

Try this: Count the times you stop to encourage and remind your child to use his manners within the span of thirty minutes. Then count up the times you have done the same. Hopefully the numbers are high and fairly close. the point is the more you use your manners, the more it will naturally become a part of your child's habits.

If you are not actively giving reminders every time you and your child engage, then beef up your etiquette efforts by plenty of your own good example and lots of kind encouragement. Always keep it gentle and fun.

Whenever a request comes in from your child (and as parents we know this can be a hundred wants in the course of a day) teach your child to say "May I please..." before whatever it is that he needs. It does take  a little extra time to do this,  it is not easy, but there is nothing like hearing your child use his manners for the first time without a prompt.

Remember, bad habits developed from lack of etiquette exercise are so much harder to undo later on.

Teach your child to say "Excuse me," every time she comes to you and especially when it involves  an interruption. Explain that she might have to wait and that using 'excuse me' does not allow her your immediate attention, and that you will get to her soon, especially if you are busy or in another conversation. This will help your child to develop patience as well as trust. Be sure to follow through in a timely manner yourself. A two year old can wait two minutes, a three year three old can wait three minutes and so on. Remember it is not about the wait, it is about teaching respect.

Teach your child to use "thank you" every time  it applies and remember to use it yourself whenever possible. It is nice to be appreciated and you'll find that when your child starts reciprocating this little act of kindness to those around him, the courtesy will go a long, long way.

Good Luck!! Good Parenting!! Your kids are counting on you!  And thank you for taking the time to read. :)