Small Gestures Add Up

Teaching children to hold the door for someone, pull out a chair for a friend, or let someone else go first all add up to making a child a polite person. Our 3 young sons always rushed to hold my chair when we went out to a restaurant. They learned by example from their father. It is a very kind and respectful gesture that, if practiced, will become second nature that they will use their lifetime.

It is so easy to teach kids to hold a door for a woman, mother, grandmother or even their friend. Teach to always cross behind the person so that they can easily reach the door without having to push in front of the person they are helping. Grandmothers are especially grateful and proud of children that have good manners.

Be sure to practice even at home so that the small gestures will add up to making thoughtful young people.

Conversation at the dinner table can be creative

Dinner time is very important to families. It is a time to reconnect and share the days trials and triumphs. The family dinner table is always a good place to practice learning how to be comfortable with conversation at the table.

Conversation helps with the pace of the dinner too. So many times, I hear about families that rush to eat and the dinner is over. One suggestion is that one person thinks up a topic and each member of the family adds an idea or comment. It could be about sports, TV shows, a new friend, a book or a current event. In the beginning it may feel awkward but with practice. the conversation will flow and everyone will benefit from the closeness conversation can create.

Remember to Mind your Manners at the table!!!

Holly Beth Moncher