Anyone who knows me knows that I am always cold and that I loooooooooove socks!
But not just ANY socks..."FUN" socks!
That's why I think Sock Grams was created for me. They have some of the most fun socks I've seen.
What a great idea!
Now that I'm a mom, I have to give more credit than I ever thought due to my mother, for raising me and my siblings with an iron fist when it comes to manners. I realize that it is a result of good parenting when children behave and display courtesies.
My mother has often gotten on my nerves bragging about how she was complemented all the time on our behavior. Let her tell it, she "made sure" that people didn't mind having HER kids around, because we had manners.
It reeeeeeeeeeally got on my nerves growing up hearing those stories, because I felt like we were like circus animals "tamed" to behave well for the audience.
Well, now that I am a mom...I will shout my mom's stories of her "well mannered" children to the ends of this world. I am one of her three! hehe
Ok, all jokes aside. I am very proud of my mom for what she did with us. I can't say I agree with the method (she might have been really strict, but I don't remember anyway)
I do have to admit, she did her job and she was welcome everywhere. I'm talking about stores made of glass, with glass registers, receipts, and everything! (well, maybe the register is an embellishment, but so!)
My mom took us with her wherever she went with no complaints!
That's a big deal.
So, let's fast forward to today. I, one of those three well mannered children, have children of my own.
OMG!!!
Personally, I think that this is a rough full time job 24/7/365. Teaching manners is really hard work. My mom deserves a medal. All moms with well-mannered children deserve medals. Seriously!
Right now, my oldest child, Isabella, is 3 years old. We have been working with her on several things that will keep people inviting us over for company for over a year now, and some things stick one day, and some days other things stick. I never get a full day of her just doing all of the things I teach and ask her to do. If I do, it's so rare that it's like it never happened.
My biggest challenge AND pet peeve has been chewing with her mouth open. In my house, we call that smacking! Ugh...it's gross!
Smacking on food, to me, is soooooooo barbaric! (I'm positive it was to my mother as well!)
It seems like no matter how many times I tell Isabella to chew with her mouth shut, she still drops her jaw eventually. I think I've told her at least 1,547 times already and we still working on it.
THAT makes me realize why my mother is so proud of the job she did with us. None of her kids "smack". That's huge!
But that's not all. Like I said, she could take us anywhere! So, that meant what? Great behavior too!
My mom also gave us EVERYTHING under the stars. I know just by how quick she would take stuff away from us what it means that we had everything. We deserved it, for listening, obeying, and using the manners she instilled in us.
So what does that mean to parents today?
Well, I think it means that well behaved children with manners are not born. They are raised!
If you read the title of this post Daddy, don't say "What" it's RUDE!, that is a perfect example of a lesson that we are constantly teaching Isabella (and will one day teach Gabriella)
I do not allow her to answer with "What?" That was one of the biggest lessons I really remember as a child. (my mom often pointed out how rude people were to respond that way, especially children to their parents)
Instead, we teach Isabella to respond politely, by saying "Yes, Mommy" or Daddy, or whomever.
Isabella may forget to do it sometimes, and we will politely correct her, but I know she is learning, because the phrase has been used on her daddy! Even adults need reminding sometimes. Haha...Love it!
So, how do we decide when it is the right time to teach certain behaviors and courtesies? Well, recently, I came across a great article on the Parenting Toddlers website that discusses teaching children manners, but also gives examples of some of the ages and stages for encouraging certain behaviors in children. (read below)
Teaching Child Manners
Teaching child manners is a gradual process. It can take many reminders before your child learns to say "Would you please pass the butter?" But if you set a good example, and are patient and try not to get frustrated with your kids, they will eventually learn.
Teaching child manners is also an ongoing process. You may feel you've succeeded in teaching your 5-year-old certain important manners. But when she's 8, she suddenly becomes more surly and rude. You have to continue to emphasize the same messages. Compliment your child when he is polite.
The different stages in teaching child manners :
Toddlers
• Set the stage for learning polite behavior by being polite yourself. Always say "please" and "thank you."
• Promote empathy by talking about how other people feel when they're hurt. For instance, if you're reading a story like "Cinderella," you could talk about how hurt Cinderella was because her stepsisters were mean to her.
• Introduce sharing and turn-taking, although it's still tough at this age.
• Wash hands and face before meals.
• Use a bib (precursor to napkin).
• Promote use of spoon, and then a fork, and cup.
• Have the child sit at table in a high chair, but only use the high chair for eating and have the child leave the table when fussy.
Ages 3 to 5
This is the prime time for teaching child manners. Child at this age like rules in general, and they also love to master new skills and to please you.
• Emphasize "magic words." As the child gets older, introduce phrases like "Excuse me" and "You're welcome."
• Rephrase things the right way. For instance, if your child says "Get me a glass of water," you can say, "May I have a glass of water, please?" and ask your child
• to repeat. You'll have to do this many times in many situations. Say "What do you say?" or "What's the magic word?"
• Let the child help with simple chores around the house (emptying wastebasket or bringing silverware to the table) to introduce the notion of helpfulness in the family, and teach basic telephone manners.
• Should be able to stay seated at table for 15 to 20 minutes.
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