Holiday Manners

Today I had lunch with a mom and her two daughters age five and eight. The girls were relaxed and displayed good manners. Something that came natural for them because of repetition. What a delight! It does not cost, except to model and encourage.

In our increasingly casual society, parents still want their children to have good manners, but many don’t have the time to teach them, or aren’t making the time. Whether you’re just starting to introduce manners or you need to “revive some deteriorated skills,” make kids aware of how manners are relevant to them, says Cindy Post Senning, a director of the Emily Post Institute and co-author of Emily Post’s Table Manners for Kids.
Basic manners:
Practice at home. That’s where good manners begin, right?. Focus on three things that mean the most to you, Senning says, such as not chewing with an open mouth, properly using utensils, and passing serving dishes – to the right instead of across the table. Other basics: properly placing the fork and knife on the plate between bites, and never, ever commenting negatively the food.
Go over basic greetings. Even the youngest child can shake hands and say hello, Senning says. Older children should be reminded to greet adults properly with “Hello, Aunt Mary,” or “Hello, Mrs. Jones.” And eye contact, kids!
Write thank-you notes/Christmas cards. (they are gifts of appreciation) Make it a family activity so kids see that grown-ups write notes, too. A lovely handwritten note is something many people keep for a long time.

Children imitate parents. Teach them well.