I tell them every day to say please and thank you to everyone.

My daughter turns 2 tomorrow! She says please, thank you, excuse me and says bless you if you sneeze.

We are working on the "no thank you"

Definitely. He says 'Thank you, please, excuse me, no thank you,' and etc

I don't necessarily 'teach' him, we just engage him like that so he's imitating us.

For sure! I was raised saying, "Yes mam" and "No sir" and plan on keeping it up with the next generation. Manners go a long way.

I wonder if i go too far making sure my son greet people with a good morning or evening. that includes myself when he has had a weekend away.Excuse me ,no thank yous, and knowing when to say i am sorry, are just as important for him to learn as well. i also hate the fact that kids address adults without a miss or mr. its a pet peeve of mine. i guess i am just old fashion.i believe it all reflects back on the parent.

If a parent doesn't teach their child manners, they aren't doing their job as a parent. I agree with BabySugar on the sir's & mam's, too!!

subtleheights, my daughter says good morning and Good night to every one at her daycare when we are coming and going because she hears me say it to them every day. She says have a nice weekend when I say it. I don't think any type of politeness or manners could be considered going too far!

I am not a parent yet, but when i have my neices and nephew i school them in manners, Its Yes Maam, No maam, Please, Thank you, Hold open doors (nephew) for ladies, pull out chair (nephew) for ladies, Dont chew gum with mouth open, sit like a lady......etc.

The youth today are seriously lacking in the manners department.

Good manners are essential.. They are not just a pretty behavioral gloss--they also instill a sense of respect and concern for others. You can't get too much of that.

Absolutely.

It is not difficult to model good manners. Our two year old says the common phrases -- please, thank you, no thank you, etc. When he wants something he asks, "may I please. . .(fill in the blank)?" and he even says "bless you" when the cats sneeze (totally cute).

The older children have learned to open doors for others, offer to help carry items for other people, always offer their seats if a woman or middle-aged/elderly person enters the room, write thank you notes -- the normal stuff.

But I have to mention that I consider manners and etiquette separate (yet related) issues. (imo)

caterpillarGirl- completely agree about the lack of manners. I don't think you can emphasize enough to kids how important it is. I know I used to get annoyed with my folks if they would keep pushing it where I thought it was overkill, but I am grateful now. It isn't difficult to teach manners if you start from day one and practice what you preach.

manners are a way of making others feel more comfortable.
of course, we will teach our child "yes ma'am" "no ma'am" and how to be thoughtful and accomodating to others by being polite.

I wonder if this book addresses smacking when you eat. My almost 40 year old BIL could use it, as well as my MIL who is 60+. I'm not even kidding. They have both smacked since I have known them, more than 20 years. It's so gross & unappealing when you are trying to enjoy your dinner, hearing one adult, sometimes two, smack, smack, smack, smack, smack. It's a good appetite suppressant for me!

I don't know how my hubby came out of that. My FIL must have taught him to chew with his mouth closed. Thank God.

I love to see a child with good manners.

PJ!

who was the one person who said NO!?! this is shocking!! of course manners matter! you will grow up to be unemployable and antisocial without the common decency of basic manners!