We are currently on holiday with our 4 year
old DD and mealtimes have become frustrating. Despite modelling saying please and thank you since before she could speak and telling her when to say it when she could speak, she just doesn’t. It is so frustrating watching waiters put drinks/food down for her and her just stare blankly. My husband and I are spending our mealtimes on holiday frustrated saying ‘what’s the magic word’ at every interaction or saying it for her. I know her school is very hot on manners too so I just don’t understand how after four years of being told when to say please and thank you she still doesn’t.
Is this normal 4 year old behaviour? Should we not bother asking her to in the hope she will start saying it as a matter or course at some point? I’m at my wits end as I feel her seemingly impolite behaviour is a poor reflection on us yet we’ve tried endlessly to address this and I don’t know what else to do.