"manners matter"
[said with a annoying dull but firm tone with a slight evil eye ready to take it up a notch if needed]
My boys grew up hearing this lots. A gentle reminder I rely on. As well as my notorious "PARDON me?" when they are rude or just the raised eyebrows, chin down blank look waiting for them to buckle up when they get demanding. Hubbie preferred more 'army style' confrontational methods that seemed to work well for him.
Whatever method you choose it's important to work hard to teach your kiddos to be polite and kind people. Start early...trust me this stuff is pretty much impossible to teach to teens unless you have extraordinary UFC type talents. By no means do we have perfectly polite kiddos but we try and I won't give up and I am always up for good resources to refer to.
As it's a New Year I thought this list from Parents Magazine a great reference for the basics.
No one enjoys being around rude people. To the woman who flies through the Starbucks door styling her designer handbag and latte as a status statement and lets it hit me and my kids hot chocolate laden tray, to the teen who rushes to took the last seat on the bus when I was that stage of pregnancy that makes everyone look frightened that a baby is going to just drop out any minute....I try to remember those moments once in a while to motivate myself to get back to work on my job as a parent and to inspire myself to be extra conscientious and thoughtful when I can with others.
Hope this little guide helps you as well.
oxo
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