Unfortunately, teaching my children politeness wasn t always a priority for me. When my kids were toddlers, I dismissed their antics as byproducts of their age. Last year our kids spent the weekend at their aunt s home. Afterwards, we were mortified to hear about our kids mouths gaping with half-chewed food at the dinner table, our kids telling each other to shut up, and our kids slamming doors rather than holding them open for adults. Here s what we learned in the struggle.
Manners don t just happen.
What comes naturally to an adult waiting to eat until everyone has been served or taking turns in a conversation instead of interrupting is unnatural for most kids. Children need to be taught polite behavior. For example, our son frequently interrupted our conversations. So he d wait until one of us took a breath and then jump back in again. He obviously needed further instruction.