You are not alone if intentional training on issues related to manners seems to have fallen to the way-side lately. Our schedules are so jam-packed that manners training seems to be one of the first things we let slide for the sake of “time.”
May I suggest that we re-think this mindset? Let’s elevate manners back to its rightful place and spend some intentional, purposeful time with our kids to help them learn and implement some necessary social skills.
Below are some questions that every parent should ask their children on the topic of manners. You may find that your kids’ answers will both shock and amaze you. Use them as a jumping off point for future conversations. For some questions, more than one answer is right – it is just a matter of personal preference.
For a free printable to have at your fingertips for your family discussion, click here.
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31
1) You are standing in the grocery store check-out line with Mom or Dad. Do you:
a) ignore the cashier?
b) say hi?
c) smile?
2) When someone hands you something, what two things do you do? (make eye contact and say “thank you”)
3) A friend comes to play at your house and makes a mess of your room. What do you do? What do you say?
4) Your teacher says something that you know is not true. Do you:
a) correct her in front of the class?
b) say nothing?
c) tell her later she is wrong?
d) say privately to her, “I thought it was ______.”?
5) When you need a tissue, how do you ask?
6) When you don’t like a food, what do you say? What don’t you say?
7) When you eat a meal that someone else has made do you:
a) say nothing?
b) point out what you liked about the meal?
c) say you have had better?
d) say “thank you.”
8) When you walk through a doorway do you:
a) check to see if someone is behind you?
b) hold the door for someone behind you?
c) go right through?
d) let others go first?
9) If you see someone is struggling to carry something do you:
a) offer to help?
b) think: “I’m just a kid, I can’t help.”?
c) usually not even notice?
10) If someone has gotten you a gift that you don’t like, do you:
a) tell them?
b) try to find something about the item that you do like?
c) say thank you?
d) remember that you have many other things that you do like?
11) When you really want to go somewhere but you have to wait, do you:
a) wait with a smile?
b) get really involved in something else?
c) whine and complain that you are tired of waiting?
12) When you are done eating at the table, what do you say? What do you do?
13) When you need something, how do you ask?
14) When you get something out at a friend’s house do you:
a) leave it and get something else out?
b) put it back?
c) assume they will clean up after you leave?
15) If you see two people are taking but you have something to say, do you:
a) interrupt because what you have to say is really important?
b) say “excuse me” over and over again until someone hears you?
c) wait until there is a break in the conversation?
d) hold the hand of the person who you need to talk to until they ask you to speak?
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