Introduce Jack to the concept of manners early in life with consistent “Please” and “Thank you”. Eye contact when speaking and paying attention to the people with whom you’re interacting says volumes. “How are you?” and the response, “Fine, thank you” are ways of connecting with others and should be practiced to make them automatic.
Ideas to reinforce manners include:
- Write phone manner phrases on notecards near the phone.
- Identify meals once a week as “training” meals where table manners are practiced.
- Prepare them for the kinds of interactions they’ll have at social events.
- Point out when they use good manners without over-praise.
Manners classes are offered in your community, so enroll your teenager. They’ll "hear" it better from another adult and other teens will make it fun and meaningful.
Claudia
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