MAGIC WORDS

I was taught manners the old fashioned way. My mom used signals when we had company to communicate I had behaved inappropriately. Many of us had aunts and grandmothers who instilled good manners in us.

Good manners are not something you are born with, but they are taught and learned.

I have witnessed the way children today can give one word answers to question like how are you? Cool, Ok.

As parents it is our responsibility to bring manners back into our homes. The key to teaching children etiquette is to remind them the

GOLDEN RULE: TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.

As parents we need to remember we are role models and our children are like little sponges, they soak in all we do.

Today we will focus on 5 Magic Words.

Hello: teach your child to greet people by title and name. Making eye contact. Handshakes

Please and Thank you: this teaches your child to be respectful and appreciative of everyone and everything that they get.

Excuse Me: after burping, asking for permission to go through a crowd, or when one wants to ask a question. You can practice the appropriate use of the words.

I am sorry: This can be instilled when children can tell the difference between right and wrong .These few word are a balm when you are wrong and have been known to avoid ugly disputes. They are worthwhile word in your child’s vocabulary.

Instilling manners is never an easy task, but its results are worthwhile.

If there is an emergency or a need which can’t wait, teach your child to say, “excuse me” to politely enter your conversation and get your help. Your child should also know that if they do something accidentally, like bumping into someone or accidentally burping, the remedy is to say “excuse me.”

Teach your children the basics: make eye contact when talking to others; don’t give automatic answers like “I don’t know.” “Yeah.” “Whatever.”

HAPPY PARENTING