“Life is short, but there is always time enough for courtesy.”    Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are things we all want to teach our kids. Each parent probably has a list – a mental one if not a paper one. I have such a list too and  one of the top items on my list (and I know it figures on the list of other parents too) is to teach my daughter good manners.

We live in a growingly un-gallant world with everyone lost in their own  bubble. We crib and complain. We are rude (intentionally and otherwise). And our children reflect the same.

I have been observing kids (and adults) around me, learning from them and making a list of manners I want to teach my daughter. Here are the top ones on the list.

Knock On Doors And Wait For A Response

Yes always! Especially the doors of your siblings and neighbours !

Say Please And Thank you

It is surprising how far  please and thank you can go. I have often been told that my daughter doesn’t have to “thank” family for the small gifts they give her. I politely disagree. A thank you teaches kids to be grateful and appreciate the people and things they have in their lives.

Bonus tip: Teach kids to write a thank you note. It means a lot to the recipient. I often add a drawing/craft done by my daughter with the thank you note. A personal touch.

Don’t Interrupt Grownups

Kids love to interrupt grownup talk. Unless there is an emergency (of course the definition of the word emergency is debatable), kids need to be taught to wait till the grownup talk is done.  Phone conversations/video chat sessions are also included.

Use Excuse Me

When you bump into someone, interrupt a conversation, burp or squeeze past someone (especially in crowded grocery stores and airports).

Ask Permission

I have seen kids (aged 10 and up) handle things without the host’s permission. It makes me seethe with anger. I believe that all kids (including toddlers) need to ask permission before handling something that is not theirs. This includes phones, laptops, books and such belonging to parents and siblings.

Compliment Others

Being appreciative seems to be lost skill these days. We are quick to spot the faults/problems instead of applauding the achievements. Always start a conversation with a compliment.

Don’t Call Mean Names

Kids pick up mean names easily and they are everywhere in our world. My daughter spotted a bumper stick on a car with a few “mean” words. She told me one of her friends had used a word on it and wanted to know its meaning. I told her a “sanitised” version of what the word meant and reminded her never to repeat it to anyone.

P.S: Commenting about someone’s physical attributes unless it is a compliment is strictly a no-no. Keep it to yourself.

Always Answer Back

This is one of those places I am having a super hard time. Often lost in her own world, my daughter tends to ignore my calls. We have had battles over this. Answering back to anyone (a friend, a relative, a teacher, a sibling) asking a question is a must.

Cover Mouth When Coughing

Many respiratory diseases are spread by coughing and sneezing. Teach kids to cover their mouths while coughing.

Wash Your Hands

There is technically a correct way to wash hands. 20 seconds of scrubbing is necessary for effective germ removal. Educate yourself and teach your kids. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website has a lot of information and resources regarding the same..

Hold The Door Open

Simple courtesy. Always hold doors open for others passing through (and remember to thank the person holding the door open for you)

Don’t Grumble When Asked For Help

How often do we do it? I admit I say yes when asked a favour  and then grumble. Not the best example for my daughter.

And a few more,

• Use Napkins and Utensils
• Don’t Pick your Nose in Public
• Offer Help (to anyone who needs it)

There is no end to teaching kids good manners. I have learned that  the list evolves over time. New and age-appropriates ones are always being added on. As they say, parenting is a never-ending journey.

What are some manners you struggle to teach your kids? Did I miss anything that is on your list?