Are You Raising Demon Children & Sending Them Out to Wreck Havoc onto the World???

[WildFlower9]

Making Room for Miss Manners Is a Parenting Basic   NYTimes.com  January 12, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13klas.html

If you are a parent, especially a parent to young children you must read this article.  Being a mother is more than clothing, feeding and keeping a roof over your children's head.  But oddly, OMG, some parent's thinks that's all that is required.

As a little girl, people habitually complimented my mother for both my sister's and mine exceptional "EXCELLENT" behavior.  Keep in mind, my mother did not nag-us-to-death with her message on the virtues of behaving. 

When I raised both my daughters and baby sat my nephew, same thing, people complimented their behavior for being polite, kind, respectful and well-adjusted children, at all times.  I didn't abuse, berate, or assonate my children's character or under-mind their self-esteem. 

What did I do and what was taught to me by my mom, both grandmothers and grandfather?   I was taught to GIVE everyone I met kindness, respect and courtesy.   Guess what, this loving gift was also extended to my sister's and I too!   You can't teach anyone this lesson if you don't have a point of reference and know what this looks like, feels like, and sounds like.  So, in essence, we were treated what we were taught, from day one.  People think you have to get this behavior from other's first before they DARE give this to another. 

I'm so grateful to have such "AWESOME TEACHERS" that I refer to as my beautiful and wise mommy, both grandmothers and grandfather.  As a young child, I didn't understand the value of this lesson but as an adult I will be-for-ever-GRATFUL to my most GRACIOUS teachers.

My children and I have benefited from the TREMENDOUS LOVE of people who truly loved us to take the time to teach us well.

Thank you Mommy, both Grandma's and Grandpa!

 

[mommytoadam]

Jan. 15, 2009 at 3:33 PM

I think, as parents, the most effective way to teach our children manners is to model the behavior.  Kids learn more by observing rather than being told over and over again.  Unfortunately, I've seen many, many adults who don't know their manners and therefore their children just aren't going to learn either. 

[MrsT6102]

Jan. 15, 2009 at 3:37 PM

What a nice post! I thought my husband and I were the only ones teaching our sons manners. In public it seems the majority does not model nor teach manners. My kids are complimented all the time on their manners and behavior. Its nice to know its still important to some people at least!