Shaking hands

[sillymamak]

Okay - I've never been a fan of shaking hands.  My reasons are usually because my own hands are always cold and I'm self conscious.  And over the years I seem to have turned into a bit of a germ freak.  I can be a little like Monk sometimes with the hand wipes.  The other day a friend reached out to shake my son's hand and he holds up the wrong hand to shake back and I thought, "oh...I probably should teach him how to shake hands."  Are we still a big hand shaking society or is it kind of okay to go either way.  I'm sure in the business world it's still a much needed skill but is it necessary at a young age.  I kind of like the movement where we tap fists myself.  Curious about what others think on this subject.

[MrsManners]

I still teach children to shake hands, it is a life long important skill.  It's OK for them to wash or use sanitizer afterward, just not immediately in the presence of the person.  Your children are young enough that it is OK for them not too shake hands yet, but start by practicing with a stuffed animal, something that has floppy arms.  The goal would be to teach them to make eye contact with the person, have a smile on their faces when they shake and say it's nice to meet you (for the 4 year old).  My 2 year old could and did shake hands, now at almost 3 tomorrow, he really gets it.  Also make sure it is clear to your children that they don't introduce themselves to any one with out you being there or shake someone's hand. 

While our custom may be somewhat out dated in the germ scope of things, it doesn't appear to be going any where any time soon.  Getting them comfortable with it now is a good idea.  As they get older you can work on how you shake hands, meaning how strong/soft, how long etc. 

Truly at these ages, the only people that should be doing this with your kids are close friends or relatives.  It is also a challenge because they don't always know their right from their left, which is why practicing with something fun and floppy is great.  Then you can practice with them as well, again a these ages it is all about making it fun. 

[sillymamak]

Thank you.  I'll give the stuffed animal a try.  I think they'll pick it up quick if I actually take the time to teach them.  I guess I'm the hurdle on that one.  I really am starting to think that I need to go to finishing school myself.  I'm a bit rough around the edges.  Ha!  Thank you! 

[MrsManners]

You know we all can use a reminder, at the end of the day a lot of what having good manners means has changed over the years and a lot of things have just gotten lost too.  You are in the same boat a lot of parents are in!  You are doing a great job because you try and you care.