Manners and Etiquette for the Little People

 

 When a man shows manners, it's sexy.  When little kids show manners, it's precious.  Either way, manners win every time.  I will always highly esteem and appreciate respect for humanity, gracious charm, and a courteous heart.  Chris and I have tried to implement polite habits into our little boys' hearts.  We want them to be pleasant company for others and also to be confident. 

I have used Emily Post's Etiquette for Children and also a Precious Moments Manners for Boys books to help in our "Manners Class" during our home school time. 

 
There are a lot of simple and subtle ways parents can share lessons of good manners throughout our home sweet homes....


These helpful placemats teach the boys the proper way to set the table.

These manner cards are adorable wall art!

I recently discovered Betsy Grace Fine Linens etsy store and fell instantly in love with these linen napkins with black embroidery of lessons in manners!   This is a brilliant and simply precious idea!  They are sold in sets of 6, and each napkin has a unique lesson.  I have willow green, but she has a variety of colors to choose from!

this image from Betsy Grace Fine Linens

 

 And my favorite napkin reads, "elbows off the table".

 

I am extra excited about these linen napkins of manners!  I'm immediately drawn to anything that's personalized too, so the embroidery captured me instantly. 

...because every child should try 

cloth napkin dinners 

with crystal and silver.

When we trust children and show confidence in them, 

they will prove that they are capable of behaving like little adults.

~Parents are in the business of making little gentlemen and young ladies~

It is so important that my boys learn to behave respectfully and politely in all circumstances.  My responsibility as a Mama right now is to raise up 3 little gentlemen.  I want them to be both solid and strong, yet gracious and poised at the same time.   


So....we take time outs from the mud puddles, truck sound effects, wrestling, and scabbed knees and pause to spray on Daddy's cologne and knot a necktie. 

And we practice growing up!

image source google search

The distressed wood frames below are from Bragging Bags etsy store!  She has so many beautiful treasures, a lot of customized and a lot of painted, distressed wood goodness!  I've shared another treasure from her store in my previous Sunshine post. 

Words are whispered:

Never ever whine...

 Always stand so others could sit...

Pretty please don't forget to hold open the door!

Start with please and end with thank you....always!...

Don't forget to smile and look someone in the eye...

 Please show genuine interest in others...

you can learn pieces of greatness
from everyone...

Shhhh...listen first, talk less...

Of course, love at all times...

 ...and laugh.  Yes! Do lots of laughs...

 

Teaching our children etiquette equips them for black tie dinners 

and all that fancy stuff! 

  But teaching them manners reminds them to humble themselves

and respect one another. 

Etiquette requires us to admire the human race.

- Mark Twain

Disclaimer: The government makes me say that I was compensated for this post.  However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

 
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