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Original poster

Childrens's Manners - what matters?

85 replies

Earlybird · 30/10/2004 23:24

Bit slow around here tonight, so here's another Saturday night topic - what manners do you feel it is important to teach your children? I was raised in quite a formal family, and while I want dd to be well mannered, think that some of what was drilled into me was a bit rigid/unecessary for today's more casual times. What manners are important to you?

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MissHoolie · 30/10/2004 23:26

Please and thank you always.

jampot · 30/10/2004 23:26

My children always say "Hello" if greeted by a familiar face - I cant bear it when kids who know me just look blankly at me.

Also please & thank you are definites.

Thank you for having me - for when they have been visiting

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:29

Please and thank you at all times (but having battle with this with ds1 who is 3.5 - whenever he asks for something he just shouts 'drink!' or 'shoes off' and EVERY time I have to make him say 'please may I have a drink' - why is he doing this all of a sudden??).

Thank you for 'tea'/'sharing your toys' etc when having visited someone.

'Excuse me' when trumped!!

Really would like them to ask if they can leave the table but how many people do this nowadays?? Certainly don't want them leaving the table when they get a bit older when not everyone has finished.

jampot · 30/10/2004 23:33

oh yes skate the table thing - ds says "Can I excuse the table please?" dd takes so bloody long over everything she eats that its never an issue and dh just gets up when he's done so its pretty hard doing that if dh is ignoring it.

JoolsToo · 30/10/2004 23:33

Everything Skate said and thankyou letters when they're old enough. Standing up for adults to sit down (does anybody do this anymore?).

and helping me cross the busy roads

carla · 30/10/2004 23:34

Well, not my best chum's child, who said last week 'I want chocolate. I want chocolate. I WANT CHOCOOOOOOLATE'. Truly nasty. And such nice chums.

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:35

Hmmm, my mother thinks my ds's should give up their beds for my MIL or FIL visiting but they are only 2 and 3 and I don't think they'd settle if put on the floor so I'd rather put PIL on the floor .

When they are older and sleeping in a ready-bed on the floor is an adventure, then yes.

Fran1 · 30/10/2004 23:36

thank you, please, hello, goodbye. Never leaves the table until everyone has finished eating. DD says "sorry" everytime she has to squeeze past someone (even the cat!) or to say excuse me if someone is in her way. I didn't drum that one into her but she has just picked it up.

The one i havn't mastered yet is pardon at bottom burps, because i nearly always laugh when i hear her do it, and a second later realise that i should have encouraged her to say a polite pardon me!

dd is nearly 2 by the way

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:37

Carla - that's a bit like my ds1 is doing at the moment but not repetitive. He'll just say 'get me a drink' but I don't know why he is suddenly doing it cos he's always been brought up to say please and thank you but every time I have to tell him to ask properly. I don't get it unless he's picked it up from someone at nursery??

JoolsToo · 30/10/2004 23:37

your MIL and FIL are 2 and 3 Skate - thats a good trick

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:37

Ds's are 2 and 3 OBVIOUSLY!!

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:38

Oops, sorry Jools - sounded a bit harsh that!

Feeling a bit rebellious tonight!

Gretel · 30/10/2004 23:38

I am obsessed with table manners - so much that I think my three 'angels' think that it is mummy who is dysfunctional!
I also like them to greet a familiar face.
Very big on please and thankyou. To my relief feedback from school always comments on my childrens 'beautiful' manners,it's a pity that i am not witness to them!!

JoolsToo · 30/10/2004 23:39

so how hold are you PIL's? bet they've got old bones! - you could always put ds's in an old drawer like they did in the war

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:41

They aren't THAT old.

Putting my ds's on the floor at this age would mean I'd be up all night! NO WAY!

JoolsToo · 30/10/2004 23:43

yer a hard woman Skate

jampot · 30/10/2004 23:43

I dont expect my children to give up their beds for anyone Im afraid - give an inch, take a mile sort of situation though

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:44

Well said Jampot!

JoolsToo · 30/10/2004 23:45

well if I was visiting Skate I'd INSIST on a bed - so there!

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:45

You'd get the shed and be thankful

JoolsToo · 30/10/2004 23:46

LOL

Skate · 30/10/2004 23:48

Off to bed now! Fun packed day with the ds's tomorrow - chocolate krispie cake making in the morning, park in the afternoon if rain holds off!

Night all
x

jampot · 30/10/2004 23:48

night

Original poster
Earlybird · 30/10/2004 23:54

Do you teach chewing with lips together? Or, don't talk with your mouth full?

OP posts:
Skate · 30/10/2004 23:54

Def try to but ds2 (almost 2) still tries to talk while eating cheerios - of course they, and the milk, always end up on the floor!