Comments on: Manners to Teach Young Boys

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 13:02:27 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. No but we need to do that! Thanks for the idea!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 10:07:18 +0000

Hi Lee, is there a printable version of manners for boys, girls and teens? I’d love to print this out.
Thanks!

By: Tiki

Tiki — Tue, 24 Dec 2019 06:47:04 +0000

I already know how to have manners but people don’t believe that I do
Thank You

By: Missy

Missy — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 18:54:24 +0000

Love this list, Lee! This may be a Southern thing, but something we recently taught our boys (ages 5 and 8) was to stand out of respect when when we are out at a restaurant and an older person (our friend or maybe even my parents’ friend) comes over to the table to say hello. Whenever they do it, the friend always gives them a big pat on the back and it makes everyone feel good. And it usually involves the boys in whatever short conversation ensues, so they tend to engage with the friend instead of misbehaving while we are distracted talking.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 18:32:30 +0000

Love this list! My mom had a book called “White Gloves and Party Manners” when we were young girls, I’ll have to see if I can find a copy now that I have litle ones 🙂

My husband went to a military school and has impeccable manners (I think his parents had something to do with it, too!) It is definitely one of the things I found appealing about him early on, and I hope we can do an equally good job teaching our children to be courteous and respectful of others.

By: Mb G

Mb G — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 16:58:46 +0000

Little girls should be taught to hold the door for little boys as well if we are teaching boys to do so for girls. It really communicates helplessness to girls to teach them to expect to have the door held open but not to do it for others. This is why I hold the door for everyone when possible. I teach my boys to be polite, but that doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand with these specific regimented rules and rituals. You can be progressive in your ideas while still being polite. I value being kind while being authentic.

Likewise, some of the “most mannerly” people I’ve ever met have somehow managed to be the most passive-aggressive and saccharine people I’ve ever met. They will be just darling to you but then throw in something hurtful, all with a “gracious” smile. I’d rather have someone be reasonably polite, while being real, and while being open to and respectful of other ways of seeing the world.

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 13:05:01 +0000

In reply to Wendie Cook. Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!!!

By: Wendie Cook

Wendie Cook — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 21:20:44 +0000

As a mom of 3 boys, we have a manners bowl in the middle of dining table where we eat most meals, even if just on paper plates. Should any inappropriate table talk emerges while seated, the boys have to put a dollar in the bowl. It happened often at the beginning but happily, not many dollars are at home in the bowl anymore. I teach Cotillion, manners and etiquette to children and recommend it to all of my parents. Money talks, always.

By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 14:14:25 +0000

In reply to Amy Stewart. Great point!! Thanks for sharing.

By: Amy Stewart

Amy Stewart — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 12:16:53 +0000

I would just add that I think it is important to teach a child how to answer the phone and take a message at a certain age. With cell phone use I am worried this skill may be pushed aside but valuable nonetheless at a certain age. I enjoyed your post and saving for the future.