“Children that aren’t taught accountability for their actions grow up to become adults that think nothing they do is wrong.”
Kids these days. Have you noticed that more and more children are forgoing phrases like “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me?” We all know that parenting isn’t easy. But one might argue that one of the most important things a parent can teach a child is to have manners. Whether your child is at home, at school, or on the playground, manners should always apply.
Here are seven manners every parent should teach their children:
Looks Aren’t Everything
It’s never nice for someone to comment on someone else’s physical appearance. Although children are naturally curious and have a knack for pointing out things that they find interesting or strange, it is important to teach them not to comment on someone’s physical appearance.
Whether it’s the weight of a person or their clothes, or maybe if they have a disability we should be teaching children that it isn’t polite to comment on appearance. It also teaches children that appearance is not everything, but who a person is on the inside is what truly matters.
Table Manners Are Still A Thing
This may seem pretty obvious, it’s amazing how easy it is to forget your manners when at the table. A great way to make sure that you and any young ones that around remember their manners is through practice. Be conscious of where you are and who you are with and enjoy the meal in front of you. Sharing meals is a great way to show someone that you care about them and being polite while doing it is even better.
Clean Up After Yourself
Now, the young ones may be able to get a pass here, but it’s also important to teach them that if they make a mess, they will have to clean them. It may be a struggle at first, but the earlier they understand, the better. Pretty soon they may not even want to make a mess, because they know they are the ones that will have to clean it up!
Be Thankful
It is important to teach children and remind us of the importance of showing our gratitude. It is not enough to say “thank you”. Just saying the words ‘Thank You’ isn’t enough though, it is important to remember what that means. It is acknowledging that someone is willing to do something for us, or share. From opening a door to giving a gift, it is an act of kindness from one person to another, and the least we can do is understand that and say thank you.
Holding Open Doors Isn’t Just For Knights
While we won’t discuss whether chivalry really is dead or just on hiatus, we can talk about how it is always nice to hold the door for someone. It literally shows someone that you are putting them in front of yourself. You never know how the smallest things can affect a person, and a great place to start is with the door.
Etiquette 2.0
Like we’ve talked about already, some facets of proper etiquette stand the test of time, while others understandably have fallen by the wayside. But as times change and new social situations appear, new manners and customs follow. Here are some important things to remember to be polite in this day and age.
Face Time, Without The Screens
One of the greatest inventions of the 21st century has to be the smartphone. It’s an amazing device that puts the world at your fingertips. It’s so good that most people forget about the world around them.
When you are with someone, either sharing dinner or even just a coffee, put the phone down. Be there in the moment. Nothing is worse than trying to talk to someone when they’re having one with dozens of other people through a screen.
Don’t Have Anything Nice To Say? Don’t Say It From A Computer
While technology has been able to bring so many people together from so far away, some of us forget that there are real people on the other side of the screen. We should not use the anonymity provided by technology to hurt others. Instead, look at that screen as a mirror; would you like it if it were you?
As we have said, manners are simply social conventions, and they change from generation to generation. It’s important to keep in mind that if you think that someone is being impolite, they may not necessarily be doing it on purpose. But if we can at least keep at least a few of these things in mind, we can make a big difference in the way we interact, live, and grow as people.
Source: theheartysoul.com
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