Have you been out and seen THOSE kids? You know the ones…the kids who are acting insane in public. While their parents stand by and seem helpless to do anything about it. What about when a new family comes over for dinner and the kids are just plain RUDE! I personally don’t want my kids to be THOSE kids! Right?? That is why teaching kids manners early is important. This is an area that you really can’t start early enough in my nerdy opinion.
Why Teaching Kids Manners Early is Important
It Teaches Them That Other People Matter Too
My kids kind of are the center of my universe…but I don’t always want them to know that, hee, hee. Children are born extremely self-centered. They already think they rule the world, right? I want to teach them from an early age that there are OTHER people in the world and all of those people matter. How they treat others is a true reflection on their character.
They Absorb so Much When They are Small
Babies, toddlers and very young children are sponges just soaking up everything they see and hear. I am trying to model good manners for them constantly so that they will mimic those manners themselves. The early years are called the formative years for a reason. I want to use these formative years to build up good manners in my little ones.
It is Hard to Break Bad Habits Later
If I am lazy about teaching my children good manners when they are young chances are good they will develop some poor manners. I think we all know how hard it is to break bad habits. I have trouble breaking my own bad habits, let alone trying to break my kids bad habits. It is much easier to just teach them properly from the very start.
I am With My Children More When They are Young
I spend more time with my children when they are young then I will anytime in their lives. As they grow older they will get involved in school, activities, sports and more. They won’t be home as much. I need to use the precious time I have when they are small to get this important work done. Sometimes it feels like I am spinning my wheels trying to teach my little ones manners, but I know some of it is sinking in. I know that the age appropriate manners for toddlers that I am teaching will translate into well mannered older children.
Why teaching manners early is important has been answered. It isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. I mean, parenting is not for the faint of heart, right? We have to toughen up and work hard so that we can take our kids to the neighbor’s house for dinner without embarrassment!!
Be sure to pin Why Teaching Manners Early is Important. It is perfect for your parenting board on Pinterest, right? When do you start teaching manners to your children?
