What You’ll Hear in This Episode
When we think about all the things our children need to learn to grow up to be contributing good members of society, we usually think about the education they need to receive and master to be the adults they should become.
But, for a minute, I’d like to suggest that teaching our children good manners is one of the most critical skills our children need.
Whenever we watch any of our grandchildren, very often they’ll say please or thank you on their own. Their parents are trying to teach them how to ask for something and when to show gratitude.
Lots of times we have to remind them – not because they’re brats and they refuse to say it.
But because they’re simply learning a habit and habits take time.
It’s worth the time.
Everyone Likes Polite People
Polite people are likable people.
They’re respectful people.
They’re usually kind, thoughtful, and careful about their interactions with others.
Insist on good manners with your children.
When they want something, they need to ask politely and say please.
Not announcing they don’t have something they need and then assuming you’ll give it to them.
That’s a great way to raise entitled adults.
When they receive anything from you or another, they should say thank you – to adults as well as to their siblings.
Remind, Remind, Remind
It can be a constant reminder, but it’s worth it.
At a certain point – when they reach school age – you may decide that if they don’t ask politely, you don’t give them what they want. And if they don’t say thank you, you take it away.
When I was transitioning from reminding them to giving them the responsibility to remember themselves, I would pause and look at them without saying anything – waiting for them to remember.
That was a good bridge from teaching to expecting the action.
And if you find that your teenagers lose their politeness during their teen years, have a quick discussion with them about how important it is to be polite, and let them know that you’re going to be reminding them if they forget and you’ll ask for their respect and cooperation as you correct them with love.
Continue to Have High Expectations for Teens
Don’t shame them or go off on them – simply remind them.
When you’re out in public, make sure your children hear you say please and thank you to those you interact with.
They will model your behavior.
Please and thank you – a simple way to contribute to our society that is so in need of kindness towards others.
Take care- and thank you for listening – see what I did there?
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