K R C - New Family Motto

Let's not get too chummy around older people or relatives.  It's still nice to use titles like:  Mr. Aunt, or Grandpa.  Many special or affectionate names to family members also show respect and love:  Nana, Puppa, Poppy etc.    Teaching children respect is a ongoing job for parents and needs to be practiced everyday.

Many holidays are coming soon and now is a good time to talk to the family about good manners in social or family situations.  Put into practice good greetings, good table manners and what showing respect means.

K R C

Kindess, Respect, Courtesy

Good Manners Equals Good Values

Teaching children good values to live by is the same as training children to have good manners.

We teach children to value their friendships by not excluding friends from play, parties or even conversations.  Good manners always include everyone and make people feel welcome in a group.

We teach children to value generosity of others when given a gift  and we teach them to show good manners by acknowledging gifts with a thank you note.  Remembering the generosity of others means a lot to the person giving the gift.

The gift giver takes time to shop for a gift, takes their money to buy the gift and then the time to wrap a gift.  The least the receiver can do is take five minutes to give thanks for the gift.

Behaving in Restaurants

By 3, children should understand how to behave in a restaurant.  They need to know what foods to eat with their fingers and what food requires a fork or spoon.  They can use their napkin to wipe their mouth and they should know to chew with their mouth closed.  Young children can be taught to wait to eat until everyone is served and to be seated throughout the meal.

It is very helpful to bring a small pad of paper and crayons to keep the children amused and quiet.  Be sure to ask to see the artwork so that the child feels included in the dining experience.

Making a scene in a restaurant is never welcome or comfortable for anyone.  Practicing at home is the best way to have an enjoyable dinner out with the family.  There can't be two sets of manners; one for the home and one set for the restaurant.  Practice and prepare kids for the coming holidays and make the dining experience fun for everyone.

Children Learn to Compete

Parents today train children in many ways to compete.  Whether it is in sports, school work, or the fine arts.  Children are taught to be the best they can be.  We built them up, we encourage them and we teach them to work hard and get ahead.
But, along with those goals, children should be taught to be a good friend, a respectful friend and a nice person.  Praise good choices of friends, praise good decisions and teach them right from wrong.

I Love My Gift

Graduation is coming up, birthday parties, picnics and many more fun activities will be happening this summer.  Be sure to buy some cute thank you cards so that your children or teens can write a note of thanks.  When the giver takes time and money to buy a gift  then the receiver can take time and energy to write a note of thanks.

Little children could draw a picture to send, elementary age could print a nice note and teens should be able to write a sincere note of thanks.  In my opinion, an email thank you just does not work for most people.

Training children to be polite and gracious will help them in the future to know the right thing to do.  Parents need to work with the young people and lead by example.

Good manners will always be appreciated.  Remember, It's Always Time for Manners!

Take A Seat

Young men and older men many times offer to seat a girl or woman.  It is such a nice gesture and shows good manners and respect.  However, often times the females don't know how to respond.  Here is what you need to know.

Men:
Stand next to the chair with your hand on the back of the chair.  Offer to seat the woman and slide out the chair for her.  As she sits down gently help her slide in the chair.  Never a push, never two hands shoving... but only glide the chair for her.  Now be seated also.

Women:
Accept the offer from the gentleman, step next to the table with the chair to your back.  When you feel the chair hit the back of your leg, that is your signal to be seated.  Always help the man by sitting down slowly and help glide the chair into place.

A NO NO:
Men:
Never act as if the woman is too heavy and you can't push the chair.
Never push with two hands.  The woman really does most of the work.

Women:
Never sit and expect to be pushed into place.

Happy Holidays to you!

It's Always Time for Manners

Table Settings are a Gift to your Guests

Everyone likes to receive a present with colorful wrappings and a fancy bow.  There is always excitement and anticipation when you see the gift and then you have the fun of opening the gift.

A dinner table, especially for the holidays, should be like a gift to your guests.  Here are five simple things you can do to make a table special.

1.   The table should have a nicely ironed table cloth and napkins.
2.   Candles make a very special effect.
3.   A clever centerpiece, whether it is flowers or a collection of family treasures,  a turkey, Santa or even a bowl of fruit make a pleasant visual.
4.   Each place setting of silverware should be straight and set properly at everyone's place.
5.   Dishes and glassware should be always polished and shined.

Now you have a gift to your guests of a beautiful table setting.  Look at magazines for ideas, go to the library to research table settings or look on the internet.  Your guests will appreciate the work that goes into a festive table,  it's a gift to your guests.

Remember, It's Always Time for Manners