This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
5 Minutes for Books editor Jennifer is here to share experiences of introducing new manners as her kids got older in this sponsored post and giveaway from JIMMY Patterson books.
When my daughter was a toddler, I taught her baby signs. I loved teaching her to communicate before she was verbal. In addition to a random sign (accompanied by a sign) that she made up — which we never quite figured out — the ones I remember her using were “more,” and “please.” I think that they were kind of interchangeable in her mind. She did not necessarily use them together, but she knew that “more” and “please” often got her what she wanted.
Once she learned to use her words, she had a LOT of words. She would talk to strangers as she was buckled in the shopping cart, to our friends at church, and of course to us. What I found interesting though was if an adult asked her a question outright, her chattering often stopped and gave way to a wide-eyed stare.
Teaching a toddler to say please is easy compared to getting tweens to use their manners
It is hard for children to talk to adults out of context. There’s a fine line between giving them ownership over themselves by letting them choose with whom they speak and learning common courtesy, manners, and respect for adults. I do think that our society has let a lot of that go. What I noticed as my kids grew up was that because I always did everything for them, they did not have that independent spirit that my sister and I had.
For example, one evening my sister was visiting, and we were going to get take out from a place he didn’t prefer. I gave him the option of getting a sub from his favorite sandwich shop. I pulled up to the shop in a parking place right in front of the door. The counter was less than fifteen feet from my seat in the car. I pulled a $10 bill out of my purse, handed it to my 12-year-old son Kyle, and said, “Go get your sandwich.” We argued. I said that if he wanted his sandwich, he would go get it. I told him I was watching, and I could see everything, and he could even come right back out if there was any problem. After more arguing, he went in and came back out five minutes later with a sandwich!
Compounding the problem is that when tweens should be learning how to enter society as soon-to-be young adults, they are also coursing with hormones, which makes them more stubborn and resistant to change. My solution — in hindsight — is to encourage kids to use the “prevailing customs of a people” as manners is defined in the graphic above, when they are a little younger and actually more open to the idea.
3 Ways to Teach Tweens to Use Manners in Society
- Let your eight or nine year old child get cash out of your wallet and give it to the cashier. Bonus — math lesson in context!
- Encourage your kids as soon as they are able to order for themselves at restaurants, when getting ice cream, etc.
- When shopping, have them ask for help themselves. “May I please see those shoes in a size 3?”
These all seem simple, but unless we give our children safe opportunities to use the manners of polite society, it’s something they have to learn or overcome fear of these interactions. The earlier and more frequent we do it, the more natural it will feel to them.
Is it just me, or have you encountered this same resistance from your kids as they age? Do you have any ways to bring manners into the tween years?
One of my favorite ways to use a picture book with young kids is to talk about the pictures, what is happening, and what the kids might be feeling. This new picture book by Bill O’Reilly and James Patterson, with illustrations by a variety of illustrators makes a great opening to conversations about what your kids want and about how using their manners might help them get it.
About the Book
Give Please a Chance By Bill O’Reilly and James Patterson, out November 21st, 2016.
In this inspired collaboration, bestselling authors Bill O’Reilly and James Patterson remind us all that a single word—”Please?”—is useful in a thousand different ways. From finding a lovable stray dog to needing a partner on a seesaw, from reading a bedtime story to really, really needing a cookie, Give Please a Chance depicts scenes and situations in which one small word can move mountains. With a vivid array of illustrations by seventeen different artists, this charming, helpful book is a fun and memorable way for children to learn the magic power of one simple word: please.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Bill O’Reilly currently serves as the anchor of FOX News Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor, the most watched cable news show for the past 14 years. His books for children include the Last Days biographies, The O’Reilly Factor for Kids, and Kids are Americans Too.
James Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community at the 2015 National Book Awards. A tireless champion of the power of books and reading, he has created a new children’s book imprint, JIMMY Patterson, whose mission is simple: “We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say, ‘PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.’”
Enter to win
Enter to win a copy of <Give Please a Chance and a $50 Visa Gift Card.
Talk about manners with your kids using the great pics in the book, and use the gift card to help them learn to use their manners in society at your favorite restaurant!
Enter More Christmas Giveaways
We’ve got many more giveaways coming this month. Check out our 2016 Christmas Giveaway Event…
Holiday Gift Guides
We’ve gathered a collection of gift ideas to help you with your holiday shopping.
Find more gift ideas…
- Holiday Gift Guide For Women
- Holiday Gift Guide for Men
- Holiday Gift Guide for Kids
- Holiday Gift Guide for Teens
- Holiday Gift Guide for Grandparents
Senna Kory says
We teach them patience!
allison says
Gratefulness for sure! Thanks so much for the chances to win.
Teresa A Thompson says
Please and thank you are at the top of the list.
Michelle Lee Mariorenzi says
And table manners are a biggie for us.
Michelle Lee Mariorenzi says
I love the idea of this book. so cute
Diana Cote says
We try to enforce as much manners as possible and do it by example. We believe is please, thank you, doing things out of kindness not because she expects something in return every time and teach patience, to ask before using things and understand that it doesn’t mean people will always say yes and to wait her turn and try to be empathetic to others. Thankfully she is a pretty gentle kid so it doesnt require much pointing out. 🙂
Janice Pope says
Saying please and thank you, showing respect
Vankesha Isaac says
I insist on teaching my children to say please at all times but, most of all thank you as I believe that they should always be grateful; even for the little things. However, I think that one of the greatest values that they have learned so far this year is appreciating each other; family and making the best of each day. When they say please or thank you it’s not just for saying sake, but with meaning and with gratitude.
rosemary says
wow-Merry Christmas
Kathryn Mackey says
Saying Pllease and thankyou and being nice to the elderly
Bobbie S says
please and thank you
Mary Gardner says
I think the most important thing I try to teach is to show respect to others.
Sarah L says
subscribe email: slehan at myway dot com
Leah Shumack says
Gratitude is a big one that we try to teach! Saying thank you goes a long way!
Sarah L says
I strongly believe in ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and kindness.
Thanks for the contest.
Janice Gabriel says
In the modern context, greet adults politely when visiting, and do not use phones at the table.
Allyson R Becker says
How to behave at the dinner table is a good lesson in manners. And always saying please and thank you is important too!
Jennifer Reed says
The manners I insist on is being respectful to others in all circumstances.
Jessica Whitehouse says
Right now, were teaching my 5 year old to hold doors for others and to say “excuse me” instead of interrupting or jumping ahead of someone else.
amanda whitley says
i insist on please and thank you especially and just being kind
BRIAN E. says
I think “please”, “thank you”, and “excuse me” are a solid foundation of common courtesy / good manners.
jenny stratton says
I have always insisted my kids say please and thank you.
Elizabeth H. says
To teach their elders with respect.
Tabathia B says
Not to speak when someone is speaking and not to talk with food in her mouth
Kelley Roach says
Please/thank you are big manners I insist on and teach my grandsons. I also try to teach my grandsons manners like holding the door for others and pushing your chair in when you get up.
shawna says
Please and thank you are a must!
Trisha McKee says
I teach my daughter kindness and positivity. Everyone deserves respect.
Pat B says
Saying please and thank you are very important.
sandra says
mostly please and thank you
Breanne says
I insist on sharing.
Tracy Shafer says
To always be polite and say please and thank you.
Robin says
I try to teach my son to respect others and hold the door for other people.
Debbie Hinson says
I try to instill respect, always be kind to others, look someone in the eyes when you speak to them – or they speak to you, Please and thank you and we pray before we eat!
Christy Leonard says
Mannets I try teach most is please, thank you and excuse me
Grant D says
Always to say please and thank you!
EMMA L HORTON says
I START WITH PLEASE AND THANK YOU
Betty S says
I like to teach respect
Alissa Apel says
Asking nicely. My kids tend to want to yell something they want from a different room. I won’t talk to them if they do that. They need to come to me to talk to me. 1/2 the time I’m doing dishes, so it’s hard to hear them.
susan smoaks says
I teach my kids to be kind and to be thankful. I teach them to say please and thank you.
kim hardy says
I think respect is them most important manner to learn
bridget calfee says
not to interrupt when someone else is talking
brandy c says
I insist people are always respectful to service workers, there is no reason to take your bad day out on a cashier or waitress.
Heather Williams says
Tolerance, patience and respect.
Carolyn Daley says
I insist on the basics including please, thank you, and excuse me. I think it is important to teach how to be polite, thoughtful, and nice.
Nancy Bowers says
Respect your elders. Open a door, help carry a package, give up a seat.
Lauren says
Pleases and Thank Yous are very important to teach kids.
Julie says
Respect is the number one thing and politeness..I work with kids everyday that are so rude and impolite..drives me nuts
DAWN SCHMIDT says
We insist our children always say please and thank you, also that they are tolerant of others at all times.
Kyl Neusch says
teach to say please and thank you
Trudy says
I’ve always made sure my children order their own food at places and follow up with a thank you to the server. I have NEVER allowed them to treat the server disrespectfully
Kelly says
For me consideration is the most important. Thinking about others and how your actions effect people is something that is important through life. If we are at a restaurant and the kids are being rambunctious, it doesn’t bother me and frankly they are having fun…but it might be bothering other people, so I expect my kids to know what is okay for the situation.
Sadie B. says
My kids were always taught please and thank you. They also enjoy holding the door for others and helping when someone drops things.
vickie couturier says
not to interrupt when someone else is talking and say please and thank you
Marianne T says
Manners I insist on teaching are to show kindness to everyone and to always say please and thank you.
golden storm says
i insist on respect and always please and thankyou
kelli says
i’m still trying to work on my oldest and his burping at the table or inappropriate times. he also never remembers to excuse himself.
Christa Bengtsson says
We teach our children to respect others, be kind and helpful, and be polite.
Nannypanpan says
Please, thanks, no thanks, holding doors open
Adriane says
I don’t have kids, but teaching empathy and basic consideration and awareness of others goes a long way to learning basic manners.
Some basics are please, thank you, not using a phone or other device when someone is talking to you, holding open a door for someone elderly or with full hands, not running or yelling in someone else home or a place of business.
James Stringham says
Of course, please and thank you is important, but I also try in teach not interrupting a conversation. Unfortunately, I’ve had to teach that to adult coworkers.
brendda boone says
daily ritual at my house
Teresa Moore says
I insist on thank you being said. It is the one I really am a stickler on with my daughter. She does have really good manners and uses them well.
Melissa says
Being respectful, using please and thank you
Jennifer Guerra says
I want to teach my kids all manners, especially please and thank you. I want them to say these things out of respect not because it is something that is supposed to be said
Ashley says
I teach my kids to treat everyone as if they might be Jesus reincarnated.
Holly Storm-Burge says
Please and thank you are musts, but also being kind and considering others’ feelings.
Julie Waldron says
I teach/insist on saying “Please” & “Thank you” and using table manners.
Lisa Brown says
I insist on my kids saying please and thank you.
Rebecca says
We have tried to teach our children to be respectful of adults and others. That means saying, “please” or ” Thank you” when you are asked to do something.
Denise Sachs says
I try to teach not making fun of others.
Tammy Greer says
I try to teach my boy to be respectful and always say please and thank you.
Kathleen says
I am big on teaching to say please and thank you.
kport207 at gmail dot com
Susan Smith says
My children must say Please and Thank you.
Tara says
Please and thank you!
Michelle C says
My biggest one is teaching kids not to interrupt others who are talking. We have a few others that are important too, such as “please” and “thank you”.
Dorrie Turner says
The always Please and Thank You are a given. We also are big on sharing and caring! 🙂
Lisa V. says
I try to teach my granddaughter please and thank you, both through language and ASL.
Susan Chester says
Please and thank you from the earliest age. Even babies!
molli taylor says
i try to model instead of insisting, but consent and respect are very important to us
Lorraine Brooks says
Please and thankyou
Shannon F says
I regularly encourage my son to be respectful to others, learn to wait his turn when speaking and to politely say excuse me beforehand. Another I try to instill in him is the willingness to be helpful to others without being told or expecting to get anything out of it besides their appreciation and a sense of gratification for himself–I feel these are important and do so much good for children as they grow.
Melissa says
i teach manners like don’t talk with your mouth full, wash hands, and of course please and thank you!
Vanessa says
It is important to help kids learn to share and take turns.
Natalie U says
Please and thank you are the biggest. Also to be respectful to adults.
Angela Saver says
We insist on please and thank you, as well as washing hands after the bathroom and before eating!
Daniel M says
please and thank you
Dawn Monroe says
Excuse me, please and thank you. We even have a little song for the smaller kids.
Jeanine says
I teach to always say please and thank-you and to always be considerate to others.
Jennifer Corrado says
To always be polite and say please and thank you!
Carol says
I insist on please and thank you.
Betty B. says
I insist on please & thank you, excuse me and respect others!
Trisha Burgess says
My important manners for my kids is please, thank you and always respect your elders!
Ellen C says
I try to teach my children appreciation and empathy as well as saying please and thank you. Thanks for the chance.
Mary Jacobowitz says
I also emphasize please, thank you and excuse me. I also discourage talking with food in their mouth.
Steph says
We insist on being nice
April Swaim says
My kids say ma’am and sir to everyone they meet.
Aimee says
Please & thank you, and just be kind to others.
mrsshukra says
Saying Thank You and sending thank yous promptly!
Meagan Bailiff-Sweeney says
I’m always trying to remind my daughter to say please and thank you always.
Geri Sandoval says
Always respect others even if they aren’t nice to you
Kristie says
Please and Thank You are big ones! We also teach our children to hold the door for others. 🙂
Debra L. Holloway says
Please, thank you, excuse me and proper table manners at the moment.
Geena O'Banion says
I can only say I tried to teach my kids the standards: kindness, consideration and appreciation.
When they were younger; it was OK I WILL. Now, they are older and they understand EXACTLY what I was teaching them. Life is learned through experiences.
monique s says
please thank you and general politeness and respect are what I teach
Sara Cunningham says
I think saying “thank you” is the most important. Thinking of gratitude is something I value a lot.
Mary Campbell says
Most important using please and thank you. Respect is also at the top of my list
Pam Flynn says
I always teach to say Yes Ma’am No Ma’am, Yes Sir, No Sir. It is just manners that have been passed down in our family.
Elizabeth Owens says
To always be nice to everyone, especially strangers, including please and thank. I think that it is so important.
Susan Christy says
To be courteous (opening doors, shaking hands, smiling at people, stepping aside to let others pass), saying please and thank you and being nice to everyone.
Tracy Robertson says
I work with developmentally disabled adults and it seems like I am always teaching them cell phone courtesy.
Rachel says
We emphasize please and thank yous but we also try to reinforce being taking turns and sharing with others.
Jenny Scheldberg says
Please and thank you is huge.
June S. says
Our three year old grandson has been saying please and thank-you shortly after he starting talking. Mom and Dad say it is very important for children to be respectful. Especially to their elders.
Becca says
I try to teach please and thank you. I just really feel like those are important basics.
Lauren Becker says
I do love when my niece and nephew say please and thank you. It’s simple, but polite.
shirley says
Thank you and please is at the top of our list.
Lesley F says
I make sure that my granddaughter always says please and thank you
Karla R. says
I like when my children say thank you, it is polite.
Austin H. says
Please, thank you and excuse me are the most important ones, to me at least. It’s a good place to start.
Edye says
Saying please and thank you is my big one! 🙂
greentopiaries says
One of the most important is sharing. A must for everyone! Thanks for the chance!
jasmine burdett says
I make it a must to my children to be kind to people and always do the right thing.
claudia davis says
Please and thank you are musts. It also is nice when they dont burp in public….. 🙂
Jen Haile says
I teach my kids to always say thank you and please and to be respectful to everyone.
Amanda lea says
I always have her say please when asking for something and instead of “what” when being called I insist on her saying “yes”
Pamela Flynn says
I always teach to say Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am, Yes Sir, No Sir! It’s just manners and respect!
Mita says
I teach to say please and thank you.
charity l. says
I insist on please and thank you!
christina moore says
My granddaughter is taught to always please and thank you
Alexandra Welch says
Please and thank you and good table manners.
Dwayne Berry says
I’d like to get my dainty 7 yr old daughter to stop eating with her fingers and belching.
heather s says
To show respect to others
Michealeen says
Please & Thank you manners are very important. We also stress being respectful to our siblings and parents.
ALlan F says
To teach them to be respectful to everyone even if they may be different.
Tammy Randolph says
Thank you and please and respect everyone
kathi says
Mostly say please and thank you and respect your elders. I also think its important to teach your children that their are people in this world that are suffering and will never have what they have, empathy is a very important thing to teach children and they don’t have to be that old to learn.
Tiffany S says
I insist on treating everyone how you want to be treated.
Elizabeth says
We always work on sharing and taking turns!
Crystal F says
Please and thank you are a must. Respect and compassion are also very big musts. Thank you!
Debbie F says
I insist on treating elders with respect. Of course that’s respect up to a point. If they disrespect you in any way then all bets are off. 🙂
Stefanie G says
The most important manners for me to teach is to say please and thank you!
Latanya says
Saying please and thank you
Julie Matek says
I insist that my daughter always says please & thank you:)
Renee Walters says
I make them use kindness, please and thank you.
Nicole Ackerman says
Please and thank you is very important to our family!
Marty says
Being kind and respectful. I don’t really care if they can’t tell a fish fork from a salad fork, but I’d better not catch them being rude or mean.
brittany doerfler says
I insist on please and thank you.
Danalee says
I insist on people saying nice things around me or nothing at all.
Jacob says
The one we really try to emphasize is inside voice. Kids just don’t seem to understand whispering, talking, and yelling as being different things and having appropriate times. It’s very important to us for them to be respectful of other people including not yelling at or around them
Dawn Ganey says
In the south, we teach yes mam, no mam, yes sir, & no sir.
Tina Bartunek says
We stress that please, thank you and excuse me are important manners to use.
Cindy Peterson says
Please and Thank you.
Courtney says
saying thank you is a big one. For everything from big to small.
accontests6 says
Table Manners
Sharon C says
Thank you is The most important! Gratitude is a must!
Lasonda says
Saying please and thank you.
Julie Murphy says
I teach them to be kind
kim s says
Saying please and thank you! Also chewing with your mouth closed lol!
Amy G says
Always say thank you and please.
Kristen says
Definitely please and thank you and not interrupting.
Darlene Cruz says
Please and Thank you and respect people’s personal space.
Amy Jones says
We do our best to model honest, respectful behavior. Adults are called sir or ma’am. Sharing, saying please and thank you, and being a good host to friends when they come over are taught and expected. We have three of the most polite, thoughtful children you could ever meet!
Charity Cram says
Please and thank you are manners I insist on! Thank you for the chance to win!
velder S dixon says
Teaching to say thank you is a must.
Suzanne says
My son has been saying please and thank you since he could talk. Politeness is very important in our family.
Linda Lansford says
the standard please and thank you goes a long way
Linda G. says
I always tried to teach my daughter good manners at the table, and to always say thank you and please.
Margaret Rice says
To treat others as you want to be treated, say please and thank you.
kj skib says
Children must always say please and thank you. It is very important.
Ashley C says
Please, thank you and yes/no ma’am/sir.
cheryl s says
politeness and good manners in public
Tari Lawson says
I always have my boys say “Thank you.” I think it is an important lesson.
Julia Barnes says
I think please and thank you are the most important.
rhonda miotke says
Please and thank you are so important!
Tracey Byram says
Please, thank you, excuse me, maam and sir.
diane says
always be polite to others
Kelly Nicholson says
What manners do you insist on or try to teach?
LOGIC AND REASON all i know
Alyce Poalillo says
Please and thank you are required as well as lying is not tolerated.
Janet Woodling says
Please, thank you and you are not always first.
Dandi D says
I want my children to be respectful, grateful, kind and honest.
Victoria Scott says
Please, thank you, and basic kindness to others 🙂
Dana Rodriguez says
Please and Thank you is a must!
Sandy Klocinski says
When asking for something, say “Please.”
Paula Banyai says
saying please and thank you and meaning it, that’s a start to treating people they way you want to be treated
Jamie Williams says
I insist on please and thank you. Also yes ma’am and no sir.
Stacie H says
To say please and thank you, be kind and respectful, share and say yes ma’am/no ma’am or sir.
Debbi Wellenstein says
Please and Thank You are the foundation for manners. If a child can grasp these two concepts, the teaching of manners is much simpler.
carol says
my daughter has taught her kids to always say thank you and please
natalia p says
I try to teach my children to be nice to everyone, don’t say rude things, always have respect, say “please and thank you”. and to always help others.
Catherine Lewis says
To be kind to one another!
Christina Sparks says
To respect other and treat them how you want to be treated.
Sharon Kaminski says
My biggest thing is teaching respect.
Suzanne K says
I insist on good manners period!
Tarah says
We teach the kids to always say please & thank you
Jessica miller says
Chew with your mouth close, dont interrupt others, and saying please and thank you!
Stephanie says
Please, thank you, and asking instead of telling (Can I have a snack please? vs I’m going to have a snack.)
wobbles13 says
address their elders
Katie says
Respect your parents, be kind to others, love on another.
Ashley Horner says
We have always taught our children to use mam and sir as well as please and thank you.
jeremy mclaughlin says
To be respectful.
Cynthia C says
I teach general respect. Saying please and thank you is important. Respectful listening without interrupting is another thing that kids need to learn.
MelissaandKeith Miller says
My kids know they must say please and thank you!
Alice C says
I think a please and a thank you are a must.
Margaret Smith says
Saying thank you and please.
Ann Fantom says
I insist on teaching my daughter respect for her elders
Adrienne Gordon says
Proper table manners.
Brooke Allen says
I try to teach my kids to show kindness to others and not gossip.
Shannon Baas says
Please and thank you.
pu ye says
My kids have been taught to be polite, saying please/thank you and being kind and respectful
Mican says
I believe in teaching my kids to show respect and kindness to others. I try to teach to them to always say please and thank you. Also, to say sorry even if it was an accident.
Brenda Lacourciere says
I insist on pleas and thank you and respect for other people and their things.
Deborah Caudill says
I taught my son to respect all people and to act in a courteous manner, such as saying please and thank you. I also taught him good table manners and good hygiene.
Chris A. says
Respect is the most important manner
Pamela Gurganus says
The manners I insist on are “Yes/No Sir/Ma’am” and please and thank you. Not only is it just polite, it’s always teaching respect.
Seyma Shabbir says
I insist on saying please when you make a request and saying thanks when you get it.
Gabrielle Kinman says
Thank you.
Karen walker says
Yes sir and no sir
S. Carter says
I try to teach gratitude with please & thank you.
Tammie Venne says
I insist on saying please and thank you and treating other people and their property with respect
Caroline says
Please and thank you are my biggest ones.
Jessica mcfarlin says
To say hi & bye when he sees people. Also please & thanks
Christie says
To not interrupt adults when they are talking.
Brittney House says
My daughter is pretty young but already says please and thank you.
Danielle Wood says
Definitely teach my kids to always say please and thank you, to say excuse me and not to talk over others.
Barbara Montag says
I try to teach the kids good manners with the use of please and thank you.
By setting a good example myself.
thank you
Tiffany Greene Elliott says
We try to teach our kids good manners by saying “Please” “Thank you!” and ask for something when they want something ; ex. ” May I have something to drink please ? ” instead of just saying they want!
Ann says
I try to teach please, thank you and to be grateful.
Ashley Meggitt says
Respect your elders!
Harold says
To say Thank You and Please.
Kathy Stevenson says
Saying please and thank you.
Candice says
I try to instill being thankful and appreciative.
Erika W. says
I remind my kids to say, “please”, “thank you”, “you’re welcome” and “bless you” (when people sneeze) though they usually say it without reminders.
shelly peterson says
We teach please and thank you and to politeness
Hollie Jahnke says
I teach my kids to always say thank you.
Jeanna says
Now that my son is a bit older, we are teaching him to hold the door open for others and to always smile while doing it.
Michele Oliver says
I teach mine to cover your mouth when you cough, cover your nose when you sneeze and wash your hands too.
Jennifer Rote says
Please and thank you are huge. Respecting others is one too.
Audrey Stewart says
We teach them to respect their elders. From opening doors, to standing up when an elder walks into the room.
Audra OHara says
I teach my daughter to say please and thank you. I think the most important thing is showing respect, and the manners are a byproduct of that.
Terra Heck says
My kids, for the most part, do well with their manners. I started with them at an early age. My teen sons open doors for others and often say thank you. Not to brag (but I am), it’s a good feeling as a parent to hear from people that my children are well-behaved. I believe it’s important to teach kids young and I believe in the power of respect. I respect my kids and their feelings, and they do the same with me. Thanks.
Laura says
Table manners are very important!
Cindy Brooks says
I insist on no phones at meals!
Thoma Murphy says
I teach to say please and thank you.
Soha Molina says
Pretty much anyhting having to do with saying thank you, please, may I, could you,…
DEBIJOT says
We insist on please and thank you and being kind to each other.
Nicole Martin says
Saying please and thank you, and just being kind in general are important.
Mary Cloud says
We try to focus on saying Please but most of all Thank You, Yes Ma’Am, and Yes, Sir – to show respect.
Rachel says
I insist on saying please and thank you as well as treating elders with respect.
Will G says
Saying please and thank you!
Steve Weber says
I insists on please and thank you, holding the door open for people and always covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
Kelly D says
I insist on teaching my kids to say please, make eye contact with people and to say thank you.
amyc says
I teach my kids ti say please, thank you and excuse me.
HS says
Respectful to others are essential, always show appreciations by saying thank you and please.
Elena says
I teach my son to say thank you
Andrina says
Respecting personal space is one of our big rules here , on top of the “please” and “thank yous” .
laura bernard says
Always say please and thank you!
yvonne says
Definitely ‘please and thank you’ are priorities and showing respect by looking in people’s eyes when talking to them.
Denise L says
Please and thank you, but also respecting people when they are talking. Don’t interrupt and actively listen.
Colleen Inman says
I think the best manners I like to teach my kids is to show respect when they are talked to by adults
Natalie says
I try to teach my niece to be respectful of every single person. I teach her to say thank you and hold the door for the person behind her. I also teach her to never call people names.
Anne says
Teaching my grandchildren to be respectful, polite and saying please and thank you is important.
mami2jcn says
I try to teach my kids to hold doors open for people.
Peggy Nunn says
The work Please is a must. I have always said that if you say Please, there is a chance you will get whatever you are asking for. If you don’t say Please. there is NO chance you will get it.
Julie Wood says
I insist on teaching manners to my kids. I teach by example and make sure that they are polite and say thank you and please!
Janet W. says
Please/thank you are big manners I insist on and teach my grandsons. I also try to teach my grandsons manners like holding the door for others and pushing your chair in when you get up.
James Robert says
My kids have been taught to be polite, saying please/thank you and being kind and respectful
Cheryl says
I insist on please and thank you.
Lisa Brown says
Saying please and thank you are at the top of the list in this house.
MaryAnn says
I made it a priority to teach my kids restroom manners. As in washing hands and my son doesn’t leave the lid up on the seat.
Heather W says
We make sure our son understands to say please, thank you & yes daddy/mommy when speaking to us. We also try to make sure he understands to not talk when someone else is talking.