Friday, August 12, 2011

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.

 
This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY ShowoffSeasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Home Decor & Organizing, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Avenue Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, T.G.I.F.,  Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up
 

33 comments:

Connie @ Salvage Savvy said...

I just found you on Tatertots & Jello... as I was scrolling through the pictures I had literally just said, "Let's not make booger jokes" to my son when I saw your post! I knew I wanted to read it:) Very well said!! I am your newest follower, and I would love it if you would check out my blog called Salvage Savvy, it's all about thrifty home decor! Thanks,
Connie

Unknown said...

How fun.

I would love for you to share this on my mommy solution meme. Love that placemats for setting the table and all of the cute napkins.

http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/08/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-4/

Jane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane said...

Right on! Manners are so very important in every aspect of life. Your boys will thank you for teaching them the rules of etiquette. It might not be until they are in the working world, but I can guarantee that they will...

I love the napkins! and the boys' photos are adorable!!!

We made a game out of the napkin in the lap rule...if anyone, parent or child, did not have his napkin in his lap when the first bite of food was taken, the offender had to leave the table, go to a different room, and count to 10 in Spanish (or French, or German). You can be sure that napkins were placed in laps upon sitting down. (The boys were here last week for brunch...they caught the middle brother and made him go count. He's 29! BROTHERS!!!)

Jordan McCollum said...

What great tips! I just started teaching my oldest how to set the table this week (after discovering that neither my father nor my husband caught on to this by osmosis!).

I agree—manners are all about teaching our children to be considerate and thoughtful of others, recognizing that their own comforts/whims/behaviors aren't the most important thing. And that's always a battle!

Here from Tatertots and Jello. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

the boys look too cute!

like the lessons too. we all need refreshers on those. and as you know.. i adore the napkins as much as you.

Diane and Chad said...

This is perfection! In our book, my son and I emphasize what a difference manners make in someone's first impression of you..hopefully good! Check out our book if you'd like to: "How to break 10 Common Childhood Myths" at Amazon:)

Darla said...

Being from the south manners are very important. Mable, Mable if your able get your elbows off the table....

Sweet Coconut Lime said...

I found you on TT&J. I LOVE this post! This is something I'm trying to teach my kids- thanks for the ideas!
Melissa at www.sweetcoconutlime.blogspot.com

Toqua's Crafts said...

I linked up at Flamingo Toes and was looking through when I saw your link. GREAT post! I sure do love it when kids have manners and are expected to use them! (I expected it from my kids.)

Missy said...

I LOVE your post! And I'm so happy to be a part of it! Thank you so much! Missy @ www.betsygrace.etsy.com

Jenny said...

Love this. Those napkins are precious! I'm really hoping someday through some happy chance one of my Grands meets ones of your sons. I think those boys are going to grow into lovely, amazing men!

Karen said...

Love your pics! I love the napkin that says take your dishes to the sink! My kids need those!! I am a new follower of your blog and I love it already!!
www.karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com

Snap said...

Lisa,

Wonderful, fun post. Your boys are so cute and will be amazing men. This is a post a lot of adults should read and take to heart! Well done! Have a marvelous week.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, this was such a sweet, cute post, Lisa. Loved every word and picture. Your boys are dolls!

I know three wives that are going to thank you when they grow up and become husbands some day. You are blessing them so they can bless others.

Love this and love you, too...

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Tablescaper said...

Great post! Love those napkins!!!!! Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

we three dogs and me said...

Wouldn't it be great if all mothers taught their kids manners. Have you ever been to a resturant where kids are misbehaving? So annoying.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

We are big on manners - all the ones you listed. We eat every Sunday in the dining room, just to ensure that they have a nicer place to practice their manners!

Elle and Lou said...

It is an on going job to reinforce these behaviours, yet so important. I really love that place mat too.

Anonymous said...

Manners...good for you for instilling them in your boys. That gift will serve them well. Love those napkins!

Kelly Sellers said...

What a handsome group of young men you have there. I LOVED this post. I agree that manners are 'up there' on the most important things to instill in a child. So cute.

I wanted to make sure you got my email address for that Build a Dream Playhouse (cuz I'm SOOO excited about it), so here it is:
kelly0864@yahoo.com
Thank you so much.
kellysellers.blogspot.com

Debra Worth said...

I enjoyed reading this. My oldest is two so our teaching of manners is rather elementary. Trying to teach him to say (more like sign since he really doesn't talk much) please and thank you. Also, teaching him not to grunt a responce but clearly answer 'yes' or 'no' (yesh or n-owe).

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

Super cute! Very important to shape our little boys into decent, well-mannered men :)

I'm so excited that I won your giveaway! Thank you SO much!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com

Jenn Erickson said...

Wonderful post, Lisa! I'm head over heels for those manners napkins!

~Iffy~ @ StayAtHomeNation said...

Hello! Thank you so much for sharing this last week at My Favorite Things Friday Party! You are in My Stay At Home Nation Spotlight this week! I can't wait to see what you share this week, & be sure to grab a button for your feature.
~Iffy~

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

Those are genius!

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Katherine Chalkley said...

Love this posting. Thanks!

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