Smile!

My kids did pretty well this week in practicing and keeping track of their good manners.  We also discussed and practiced better table manners.  What I've discovered is that they need to work on their manners with EACH OTHER!  That seems to be lacking a bit.  They do well with other people but not necessarily together.  This is our final week of working on manners and for me, the financial and "stuff" from the Buttoned Up challenge this month.  I'm looking forward to starting April's challenges.  I'm going to work on two at the same time.  I'll let you know what they are next Sunday!

Good Work!

This week we focused on "physical" manners:  opening the door, shaking hands, doing something for someone else, and so on.  This was harder for everyone just because we didn't get the opportunity to do it very often.  My kids really did well on continuing the "verbal" manners so I counted all of that as good work.  This week we'll be actually checking off on a chart (for the kids) whenever they use their manners in the right way.  We're also going to be talking about phone manners and table manners.  It will be good practice for all of us!

Yes, please!

I was just looking over my resolution chart that keeps track of our progress and it looks pretty good!  Olivia was born with good manners, Ethan has to be prodded into it, and Andy has had to learn to be more verbal socially, which includes using manners.  They were drilled into me from birth so I pretty much have a handle on them.

This week we're working on "physical" manners:  smiling, opening the door for someone, shaking hands, setting the table and so on.  This week might be more challenging because it takes a different way of thinking to pull these off.  So far, so good!

And thanks to Lisa for making a suggestion about interrupting.  My kids do that constantly!  I've added that on to the manners we'll be working on later this month.  It's so true and such a good thing to practice NOT doing.  We all need that one!

The Work Begins!

I sat down with the kids and husband to introduce our "Manners Matter" month.  This week we're going to be working on "verbal" manners:  please, thank you, you're welcome, and so on.  Anything verbally polite.  I had to break manners down into parts in order for us to get through all that I wanted.  Everyone has to say at least two polite things during the day in order to meet their goal.  I'm keeping track on my resolution page.  I told them that it didn't have to just be two times; the point is for these kind of manners to stick all the time, in any situation.  I think manners are very important but sadly, most kids are no longer even aware of what they are!  Not mine!  We're going to make some headway this month in that department and hopefully they will continue using them all the time.  I'm looking forward to the week!

March 2012: Manners Matter!

Welcome to March!  This year is already flying by, right?  Even though Buttoned Up is doing another challenge this month (working on money and stuff around your house),  I figured I would do that on the side and do the "Manners Matter" challenge as my main theme for this month.

I got online and found a fun printable about manners that I could help my kids with.  I've always been very conscious of manners--thanks mom!--and I think they are highly important.  Why?  Because they show intelligence and kindness toward others.  Because they help you get ahead--yes, I really believe that.  Because they require you to think and become more emotionally intelligent which I am requiring from my lovely children.  This will be a fun time to get the kids involved.  Each week we'll be working on a certain area of manners.  We're starting with a fairly easy one--table manners.  I won't be starting this challenge until Sunday the 4th, simply because there are four full weeks in March starting with that date.

I'm excited to have my kids participate this month.  Looking forward to getting everyone involved!  Husband included!