Do you ever feel like you're surrounded by cavemen? Are your dinner conversations filled with noises you'd rather not think about? Can you finish your sentences without being interrupted?
Some have suggested that manners are one of the most important things parents can teach their children. Is teaching manners really worth the trouble?
What really matters?
For parents, children's bad manners can be annoying. For people outside the family circle, bad manners can be an absolute turnoff.
Ultimately you'll decide which manners are important enough to encourage. Here's a list of 10 basic possibilities:
How to do it.
Focus on the positive. If you notice a child thanking you, thank her right away: "I love hearing you say thanks. It makes me happy, and it makes me want to help you even more."
What to ignore.
Dr. Latham suggests ignoring what you can as you parent. "As parents, we are inclined to work ourselves into a tizzy over behaviors that just aren't that significant...
Maybe you've been lucky enough to hear your child echo something you say almost verbatim (or should that be "unlucky enough"?). "Remember that children learn best by example. Thanking them for the things they do will go a long way in emphasizing the importance of it" (Walker). Thank, thank, thank your children for their good efforts with manners.
Oprah's been known to say that teaching manners to children is one of the most important things you can do for your children. Regardless of whether or not she's right, it doesn't hurt to point out to your kids that grownups generally prefer to be around children who are well mannered, and how privileges are lost (other parents not allowing them to play with their children, for example) when they aren't well mannered.
Help your children write basic thank you notes at an early age. One mom printed out a photo of each guest at her daughter's birthday party as the daughter opened their present. On the back of the photo she simply had her daughter write, "thank you," and her name. For older children, let them pick out or create thank you notes that fit their personality, and have them on hand for when the occasion arises.
Proverbs 16:24 reads, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Teaching children about manners in the context of spiritual things,as a way we can show love and respect for each other's well as how important it is for missionaries to have good manners can be a fun way to approach a lesson.
One mom wrote to the Ensign about teaching her preschoolers table etiquette and manners. "I folded a small piece of cardboard in half and drew a smiley face on one side and a sad face on the other. As the children behaved and displayed proper manners, their "manner meter" displayed its happy side. But if they forgot and held their fork wrong, slouched, or spoke out of turn, their manner meter was turned to the sad side until they corrected their behavior" (Pat Estes). She also mentioned it was fun for the kids to take turns "metering" Mom and Dad.
One great thing about manners is that they are naturally rewarding, all you have to do is point it out to your child. "You get to come out to dinner with us because you know how to behave well at restaurants. If you didn't, we'd probably have to leave you home with a sitter."
If you need an extra boost with manners, maybe a manners chart might help. Simply list the behaviors you want to see in your kids, give them stickers or smileys when they perform, and watch your house turn into a manners wonderland! (OK, maybe not a wonderland, but this will help.)
Bart Simpson is not the best etiquette teacher. You may consider limiting certain shows because of the behavior they teach. As you watch TV with your child you can explain what really might happen as a consequence of bad behavior.
Mrs. Walker, a first grade teacher wrote, "Teaching your child basic politeness skills will endear them to others" (Walker).
Children receive natural rewards when they are well mannered: they are preferred as playmates, and adults want to be around them more.
But one of the best reasons to teach children manners is that manners are a great way to show respect to others.
Estes, Pat. "Random Sampler," Ensign, Feb 1984, 58-60.
Latham, Glenn I. The Power of Positive Parenting. Logan, UT: P&T Ink, 2006.
Marchant, M. & Young, R. (2005). 3 B's of effective parenting: Be proactive, be positive, and be consistent. Marriage and Families, (Winter), 18-25.
Walker, Ardith. "What First Grade Teachers Wish Parents Would Teach Their Kids." Unpublished article.