From third-generation plumbers to accountants, everyone hires professionals for things they can’t do properly themselves. Take household staff for instance; many times they’re the difference between a livable home and an unpleasant space that triggers stress.
And like most everything regarding your children, teaching them good manners for the benefit of the staff is your responsibility. Here are 3 tips for you!
Lead by Example
As children generally model their behavior after their parents, you want to give them direct and tangible examples to follow.
So:
- You want to use polite phrases in your daily conversations, saying “please” when making requests and “thank you” when receiving something
- You don’t want to raise your voice or use harsh language. Instead, maintain a calm and respectful tone so that your children often absorb this tone you set.
- You want to acknowledge the efforts of others, expressing gratitude openly, so that they can see firsthand the value of appreciation
For example, while shopping, thank the cashier sincerely and use phrases like “excuse me” if you need assistance and your child will likely observe and mirror these behaviors.
Consistent Reinforcement
Regular reinforcement is how you solidify good manners as a habit as children often learn through repetition and consistency.
So:
- You want to remind your children to use polite language and gestures regularly, especially in situations where it matters
- You don’t want to forget to offer praise when they remember to use good manners
- You want to frequently connect good manners to empathy
If your child forgets to say “please” when asking for something, gently remind them to use the polite phrase as much as possible. When they do remember, you want to acknowledge their good behavior with positive reinforcement to really drive things home.
Explain the “Why”
Children ask a lot of questions, and rightly so. When you help your children understand the reasons behind good manners, they’re more likely to internalize these behaviors and really carry them into various situations.
So:
- You want to have discussions about respect, kindness, and the impact of good manners on building positive relationships
- You want to share stories or examples where good manners made a difference in how people interacted with each other
- You want to create an open dialogue, encouraging questions about social behaviors and manners as many children learn through active engagement
For example, it’s a good idea to explain that saying “thank you” to a friend who shared a toy shows appreciation and makes the friend feel valued; connecting good manners to positive outcomes in their interactions with others and reinforcing the understanding of why it matters because you want them to grasp the significance.
Teaching your child good behavior is one of the top jobs of being a parent, for both their benefit and for the benefit of others.
