Manners All Kids Should Know

This past weekend there were about 10 kids at my family’s house for the weekend, and for the most part, the screaming, crying and whining was kept to a minimum. I started asking my sister-in-law’s friends what they do to teach their infants and toddlers manners. It’s true — you’ll never get your 2-year-old to chew with her mouth closed. But you might be surprised what she can learn if you focus on conveying the idea of manners, the principle that there are ways to behave and ways not to behave.  In my opinion, the most important is:

THE GOLDEN RULE
We can, however, use kids’ tendencies to help them learn. The Golden Rule – treating others the way you want to be treated – is well applied to basic manners. When kids can see how they can benefit from using manners – both the simple and the more complex – they are more apt to use them.

Here is a list we should all aim for (or at least I want to try for!):

Manner #1
When asking for something, say “Please.” When receiving something, say “Thank you.”

Manner #2
Clean up after yourself. Whether at home or at a friend’s house, always pick up after yourself. It’s their mess, so they need to clean it up. If children leave a mess, then remind them that they need to clean up before the next activity can begin, and stick to it.

Manner #3
Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4
If you do need to get somebody’s attention right away, the phrase “excuse me” is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation

Manner #5
When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #6
When you have spent time at your friend’s house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #7
Don’t call people mean names.

Manner #8
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don’t pick your nose in public.

Manner #9
As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #10
Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

CHECK OUT LE TOP
CHILDREN AND BABIES’ CLOTHING AT
www.letop-usa.com

Read Full Post »

Tips for Making Your Kids More Restaurant Friendly

A meal at a restaurant gives you a break from the kitchen, but young children often make the experience stressful for parents.

Of all of my nephews and nieces, they are all relatively well-behaved at restaurants and I truly think its important to socialize your children at public restaurants from when they are very small (toddlers) to help them learn how to behave properly and be more restaurant friendly.  Just like riding a bike — after a few mishaps, your kiddos will learn to pedal correctly (and not ride into the bushes).

However, I completely understand parents who are very anxious and hesitant to bring their children out to dinner for fear of there being no “kid food” or getting fidgety or having a meltdown at dinner. Etc. here are some of my tips for making your kids more “restaurant-friendly”:

1.  It all starts at home
Make meals fairly structured and most importantly, routine. Remember: Kids start out as a clean slate, so as parents, it is our responsibility to help them form good habits. Things to employ:

• Provide a variety on the plate – consistently. Even if it is one baby carrot stick and one apple slice, at least you are teaching them the importance of balanced nutrition.
• Stay away from foods and drinks high in sugar. Children are highly susceptible to highs and lows both mentally and physically when consuming high-sugar foods.
• Treats and sweets are just that, a treat. Keep them small (a small cookie) and offer them as a reward for eating properly.
• Have them ask to be excused from the table. This sets the tone of who is in charge.

CHECK OUT LE TOP CHILDREN AND BABY CLOTHING AT
www.letop-usa.com

2.  Make meal periods interactive
At home they can help set the table, help choose the menu, and/or help prepare the food. This gives them a sense of involvement; they are invested in the meal.

At restaurants, let them choose what they would like to eat and bring a restaurant-appropriate activity.

Offer your child a toy, coloring book, small puzzle or similar activity to do at the table while waiting for the food. Bring extra items, letting your child play with one at a time to prevent him from getting bored.

3.  Timing of Dinner
Don’t think you are going to visit a restaurant at the hip, hot hours when most people go out. Always go earlier. You’ll get a better table, beat the rush, and even if your child has an outburst, you’ll be bothering a much smaller amount of people. Also, opt to be seated in a booth whenever possible, so it will be easier for you to keep your child contained.

4.  Make dining out sound like a special, rewarding and fun experience
Get them excited about the experience. If it is something to look forward to, they will want to do it again.

5.  Discuss restaurant etiquette BEFOREHAND as it applies to children
Keep the rules simple and easy to remember:

• “Use our inside voices”
• “Stay in our seats”
• “Do not throw food” – keep your expectations low if they are less than three.

Again, use dessert as a reward for good behavior/eating. And be consistent – I cannot stress this enough! Also, be patient.

Give the restaurant a heads up that you are bringing children. This gives them a chance to select an appropriate table and perhaps assign a server that has a better disposition for serving families.

Read Full Post »

Le Top Takes: Out of the Mouths of Babes!

This past weekend my boyfriend and I decided to have lunch with his niece Ella and visit her “uptown” (a.k.a. The Upper West Side/UWS).  We joined Ella, her mommy and daddy, as well as her Auntie Alana and two Uncles (Sammy and Marcus) for lunch at a nearby diner.  After lunch we decided to stroll back to their nearby apartment and watch Ella’s mommy get her makeup done for a wedding that evening.   

No, I did not say that!

Ella was the first to burst through the door in excitement that they had visitors, and was followed by the rest of the family.  That’s when I heard (as any good 2-year-old girl host would say):

Ella: “Mommy, should we put out food for everyone?”

Mommy: “How sweet of you!”

Melissa (inner thoughts): “Emily Post would be so proud.”

Editor’s Note:
Please spread the giggles by sharing your funny quotes with us!

Read Full Post »