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You know those types of kids who make going in public a nightmare. Screaming, crying, impeding on your
experience. Just imagine how they act at home! On the flip side you’ve probably also been around children
who are polite and fun to be around. You can ensure your kids become the latter by using these tips.
At home, make being polite a rule that the whole family follows. If your kids know that impolite and rude
behaviors aren’t acceptable and won’t be acknowledged, it will promote thinking before they speak and act.
If those behaviors aren’t used at home, your kids won’t use them in public. This should be a top priority
especially when the kids are younger. When they act or speak impolitely, tell them why it was rude and
have them redo it using their manners. The more examples they’re shown of how not to act will help teach
them the ability to self-discipline and eventually they’ll self-correct their mistakes. They don’t necessarily
understand why certain speech and actions would be interpreted as impolite so be consistent, firm and
supportive when talking to them about inappropriate behaviors. The more practice they have at home, the
quicker they’ll catch on.
Start early. As soon as kids can talk, they can imitate. Make sure you always say “please” and “thank you”
when warranted and encourage your kids to do the same. When they’re old enough, have them begin to
speak for themselves in public. The more you can get them socialized with all kinds of people, the more
ways you have to teach them about being polite. In a restaurant, have them order their own food or ask
where the restroom is and of course make sure they always say “please” and “thank you.” They’ll witness
how people react to them when they’re being polite. When you’re kids are doing a good job, don’t forget to
praise them!
When you’re with your kids in public and someone demonstrates good manners, make a point to comment
on it to your kids. Talk about why it was nice for someone to hold that door open or pick up an item you
dropped. And of course, make a point to thank that person or have your kids thank him or her.
It’s also important to encourage your kids to show their gratitude and appreciation. A grateful person is
usually a well mannered person. This is another activity you’ll want to start working with your kids on from
an early age. A good way to start is to have your kids write thank you notes for a gift they received or even
to thank grandma and grandpa for coming to visit. Use any reason you can to have your kids write a thank
you note. You can show them how to write a proper one by writing example thank you notes and reading
them out loud. Read over what your kids write and tell them when they’ve done a good job.
The best way for children to learn anything is by example so make sure you and your spouse present
your children with good examples from the beginning. It takes effort to raise polite children but you and
everyone around you will reap a lifetime of benefits if your kids are pleasant to have near.
We used to have “Driveway” instructions for all of our children. Reminding them of their good manners before we went into some place. It seemed to help, it wasn’t perfect, but it helped.
these are great tips and really helpful, thanks for sharing!
Great tips, its definitely true that you learn what you see
Whirlwind of Surprises
Great tips! Thank you! I agree that setting the good example is a key.
While I do agree with these tips and that manners definitely start at home and with the parents example, sometimes for all we teach them kids will still act out in public. Sometimes kids are tired, hungry or just plain cranky from being at the store for too long and will be screaming and crying no matter if they were taught manners or not.
Now if my kids are actually being rude to me or to someone else they will be corrected, but if I know they just need a nap and are crying because of it, I’m not going to worry whether it’s ‘impeding on someones experience’ or not. I think people need to realize it’s not always a case of bad manners when they see a child crying in public.
You are so right. Children practice what they see.