LilSugar

Do You Let Your Children Eat Off the Floor?

LilSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:41 -0700

Every mother knows about the ten-second rule, but what about shaking your child's Cheerios on to the floor? Some parents forgo the plate or bowl because lil butter fingers have a tendency to drop the cereal on the carpet so they serve their kiddo's snacks straight on ground. Other moms and dads shun that practice, but don't flinch when a cracker or piece of fruit drops and their tot picks it up to munch on. What's your opinion?

Do You Use Mr. and Mrs. to Introduce Adults to Your Children?

babysugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:37 -0700

Growing up, "Yes ma'am" and "No sir" were staple phrases in my house. Sticklers for manners, my parents wouldn't indulge us until we used the magic words. Along with the "ma'am" and "sir," adults were always introduced as "Mr." and "Mrs." While some moms and pops claim the politeness makes them cringe as it connotes age, I like the etiquette. Occasionally someone would say, "Please, just call me Martha" in which case I strayed from the rule and followed her instruction.

As parents, my husband and I have defined our rules of addressing adults. The Southern gal in me is sticking with the "ma'am" and "sir," and we're still trying to figure out the rules on titles. For the most part, our daughter calls most adults by Mr. and Mrs., while close friends have garnered nicknames or "Auntie" status, skipping the rules altogether. Perhaps it is a West Coast trend or a sign of our generation, but many tots simply call older acquaintances by their given names and think the hierarchy is for the birds.

What practice do you preach?
Getty

Do You Think Women and Children Should Go First?

LilSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:00:21 -0800

Among the stories that came out of the US Airways plane crash in the Hudson River yesterday was one about the orderly conduct in which the passengers escaped the floating fuselage. According to one survivor, women and children were the first to leave the wreckage.

Do you believe such courtesies are outdated, or should men stand back and allow women and children the chance at safety first?

Is It Your Pediatrician's Place to Monitor Manners?

LilSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:00:15 -0800

Teaching a child manners is the parent's responsibility, but is it appropriate for a pediatrician to track that development? Though we rely on our kid's doctor for advice on physical ailments from sore throats to earaches, are we comfortable getting their feedback on our tot's etiquette?

Source

The Beckham Boys Are Brotherly and Well-Mannered

LilSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0800

As the Beckham boys learn the ins and outs of being famous, they are also learning proper etiquette. Mama Victoria recently proudly spoke to The Times about her sons' good manners. She said:

"My mum and dad were real sticklers for good manners and so are me and David. People are always remarking on how well-behaved the boys are. They've all got their own headed notepaper for thank-you letters.”

Good manners are a lesson for life and if you teach them to your kids early on, they become automatic. Saying "please" and "thank you" and writing notes goes a long way.

We've all got our own parenting styles, but are you a stickler for manners?

Bauer-Griffin Online

Has Chivalry Died For Our Children?

LilSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:37:17 -0700

Is "ladies first" and gentlemen opening doors a thing of the past? As parents try to raise their sons and daughters with equality in mind, do the traditional customs of pulling out a woman's chair or walking on the outside of the road become unimportant? I hope my son grows up to be the kind of guy who hands his date his jacket when she's cold. What's your opinion on the issue?
Source

Do You Teach Your Tots To Mind Their Manners?

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:00:02 -0700

As the mother of four, one of my mom's mantras was, "Remember to say please and thank you!"

Whether she was dropping us off at a birthday party or we were out running errands, manners mattered.

Being polite was an automatic in our household so it didn't take any effort to relay that message to my own kids from the get go.

Teaching your tot etiquette - everything from what's appropriate in certain situations to which fork to use at a dinner party - is a gift that keeps giving.

Are manners important in your household?

Yet Another Reason to Steer Clear of Plastics

babysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:31 -0800

The last thing mommy wants to do is add another worry to her already fret-worthy list, but this one may be worth noting. We all know that plastics can contain BPA and other harmful toxins, but we don't always know why they are hazardous. Fortunately, scientists are doing the dirty work for us and informing us of yet another reason to steer clear of items containing phthalates. In a recent study, British researchers found that certain phthalates were not only affecting male genitalia, but their behavior, too. Boys who were exposed to higher amounts of the chemical were less interested in the stereotypical car toys and less apt to play in a rough and tumble manner. Elizabeth Salter-Green, director of the chemicals campaign group CHEM Trust said:

We now know that phthalates, to which we are all constantly exposed, are extremely worrying from a health perspective, leading to disruption of male reproduction health and, it appears, male behavior too... This feminizing capacity of phthalates makes them true 'gender benders'.

While the EU banned such toxins from toys years ago, the US has yet to make such dramatic (and in my opinion, necessary) moves. This is just another good reminder why us moms should speak up and let our voices be known. Join the Million Baby Crawl and speak your mama mind!

Table Manners: Trays Help Keep Food on Table

babysugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:00:51 -0700

I can't help but adore Royal VKB's Kids Puzzle Dinner Tray, $55. It was designed to make eating more fun for tots, but is extremely practical for parents at the same time. Each utensil has a special slot, which allows children to use puzzle skills to learn the correct place settings.
To find out what else it offers, read more.
My lil one is a pretty clean eater, but keeping food and utensils on the table is a never ending battle. I love that this tray aims to teach kids where their fork and cup are supposed to go so being polite can feel like a game.

5 Good Reasons to Wash Wee Hands

babysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Germs, germs, everywhere and not a tot got sick. Kids who have good manners and hygiene know that washing hands is not just a polite thing to do, it is a healthy act, too. While many children learn to lather up after a trip to the potty or prior to a meal, it is important to educate young pupils on the preventative measures that a good sudsing provides. Youngsters can help avoid these five common illnesses by keeping their mitts clean.

View Slideshow ›