Teaching Your Child Manners

Every parent dreams of raising their child to be polite and have good manners, saying “please and “thank you,” after every question asked. Our children are a reflection of how we parent, and if their behavior is poor, all eyes are on us. When parents understand the core principals of good manners, this will help their child to use proper manners.

Model Proper Manners.

I believe this is one of the most important things as far as teaching appropriate manners. Children copy everything we do, and they watch how we treat others. Be sure to tell your child: “Thank you for doing that for me.  That was so kind of you” or in a social setting let them hear you tell strangers both, “please” and “thank you.”

Expect Them To Respect.

As crazy as it sounds, we teach manners as early as when our child is born. When a parent of the child is sensitive, it’s one of the most valuable qualities you can instill into children. If the infant grows to be sensitive, they’ll naturally grow to become a respectful child, caring for others’ feelings, which in the end makes them a well-mannered child.

Teach Them Right.

As early as you can, teach your child to respect everyone in their life by addressing your child’s first name so they can use other names appropriately: “Anna, would you wash your hands please?” If they need something from dad, “Dad, may I have a snack, or “Mom, would you be able to get me my sweater?” This allows them to understand the importance of respecting others first.

Correct With Respect.

When we correct our children, it’s important to give them respect as they will give us respect. If you correct your child, do it out of love, not by wanting to gain control over them. Being polite as parents shows the child that you value them as a person, and that it’s important to learn from their mistakes. Expect wonderful manners out of your children instead of demanding those manners.

Don’t Force Manners.

It’s okay to occasionally remind your child to say “please” or “thank you” after asking a question before you grant the request, but try not to tire them of these words. When you remind your child to say “please,” try and do it out of good manners, not as a must for your child to get what they want.