Do Your Kids Use Their Manners
These days you very seldome hear a child say please and thank you. They normally inturupt you with a loud "Mommy!" or pushing or pulling on you until you answer them. You often hear kids talking back to adults whether it's their parent's or not. Never do I hear a child say "sir" or "mam". What happened?
Back when I was growing up if I were to do any of the above I'd get my butt beat. Espically the talking back part! I was raised to respect my elders. To say "sir" or "mam" when I was talking to an adult. I always said please and thank you or I would never get what I was asking for. And saying "excuse me" was the only way to get our parent's attention when they were talking to someone else.
Since I've had kids I have taught them about manners and how to be polite while talking to an adult. I'm sure they don't understand it now but I know when they grow up they will appreciate what I taught them (hopefully).
How have I taught my children? Easy
Please and Thank You - This was the easiest to teach them. If they want something they say please and normally they will get what they asked for. Every once in a while I have to give the look or ask them what their manners are but they quickly catch back on and say please. After the please is said, thank you always follows. They remember to say thank you more then please but at least they are still being polite. And they do it to everyone, not just to me at home. I've actually noticed that they use please and thank you a lot more when we are out and about or at a friends house then they do at home. This makes me one happy Mom!
Excuse Me - I really enjoy hearing these words come out of my kids' mouths. Is that bad? Some times I will sit here even if I'm not doing anything and let them say mom two or three times and then they remember the excuse me part and of course I answer with a smile! When we have family over (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) it makes me smile when my kids say excuse me to get any of our attention. Even my 4 year old son does this and it's so much nicer to hear an excuse me then a "mom, mommy, Mom, MOM!, MOMMY!!!!". Oh my kids would get into trouble if I heard that come out of their mouths and it sure would not get them whatever it was they wanted!
Talking Back - Oh this is a bad one! This is the one that makes me mad when I hear it. Even if it's not my kids it still rubs me the wrong way. Walking through the mall or a store and hearing kids yelling at their parents or things like that, wow, so glad that's not my kids! Now granted my kids are still little (7, 6 and 4) and I'm sure the talking back part just hasn't started yet but I think we have a bit of a lid on it and that it might help for when they are growing up. As of now, when my kids don't like what I say or ask them to do instead of getting upset and taling back they ask questions. Mainly the why question. However, I don't let them ask just Why. It has to be followed by a whole sentance or it won't get an answer. Why do I have to clean my room now? type of thing. Not just Why? If it's about not being able to do something it's Why can't I go outside and play? Not just Why? Using the whole sentance helps us both. And while we are out or with friends my kids know not to talk back. They don't like getting yelled at or into trouble and they know talking back will get them just that. Nothing special bought for them or not being able to play with their friends. It's manners at work!
Sir and Mam - Being in the Army this one is kind of easy for us, however, my kids don't use it all that often. When they really really want something they use it of course but it's not an every day thing. When they are being asked a serious question they use sir and mam or when talking to someone in uniform at Daddy's work (which makes me proud). While I was growing up my mom did not like being called a Mam. She still doesn't. Why I'm not sure, I guess I'll have to ask her. But I do think this is why I don't mind my kids not calling me mam. I do remind them to call their daddy sir but that is out of respect for him and his job.
After writing this Hub, I checked out a few pages online and found out that there are a lot of websites that help you teach your kids manners. Here are a few of the links that I liked.
- How to Teach Kids Manners | eHow.com
Most people think manners today are worse than they were 20 years ago, according to a report cited by Reader's Digest. Teaching your children good manners can be seen not only as a part of good parenting but also as a way t
- Manners for Kids (and Parents) - FamilyEducation.com
How are your kids doing when it comes to the social graces? Find ways to keep them on their best behavior when they're at the dinner table and when they're out with friends.