manners for children?

[joycenalex]

would someone recommend a book that will help me to figure out what is age appropriate manners for a kid? she's 4, she's pretty good on please, thank you, yes ma'am and we're working hard on addressing adults as mister mike (if a family friend for example) or misses sally. when we eaten meals at a resteraunt, i've brought some simple toys to help the fidgets, and so far no problems with wanting to run around post meal (very greatful for that).

[K9karen]

IMO, it doesn't sound like you need a book! Common sense and good parenting prevail. She sounds like a pleasant, well behaved 4 y.o. Bless her (and you)

[Cataholic]

My mom had this book, it was written by someone she knew- really just a little paperback. But, it sounds like the little four year old is on her way. Who is she, if I might ask?

With Jonah, I am not so much into the Mr. and Ms. thing, though they do it at school, and he addresses my bosses as Mr....but, I also instill the holding of the door, picking up things that others have dropped, remembering to say, "I am fine, AND how are you...", returing a compliment by saying, "wasn't that nice to be thought of....", etc.

The restaurant thing is a tough one.** Only now do I feel good about taking him to restaurants (not fast food joints). My purse contains cars, a few crayons, little note pad, etc. I also have an activity pack with markers, paper, and a scissor that stays in the car for restaurants. I also have a portable DVD player that stays in the car, complete with earphones that I have used if Jonah comes to work or, at the hair salon. Even still, at 4, it is hard for him to sit and 'linger' after a meal without getting up and down a bunch of times. Not really that relaxing for me.

**I don't think it is 'fair' to ask kids much younger than 4 to sit still for meals in restaurants, at church, doctor's visits, etc. Yeah, I know, all the kids but mine can do it and have done it since they were 2 minutes old, but, for the rare child that can't do it (like mine), I find it easier to bypass the situation altogether and avoid the stress.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I don't think it is 'fair' to ask kids much younger than 4 to sit still for meals
in restaurants, at church, doctor's visits, etc.
Yeah, I know, all the kids but mine can do it and have done it since they were 2 minutes old,
but, for the rare child that can't do it (like mine), I find it easier to
bypass the situation altogether and avoid the stress.

YOUR Kid, along with Christy's Jasmine and Dominic, are ALL very well behaved -
FAR beyond their years! I wish all "Little Kids" like them were HALF as well
behaved as those three are!

[Cataholic]

YOUR Kid, along with Christy's Jasmine and Dominic, are ALL very well behaved -
FAR beyond their years! I wish all "Little Kids" like them were HALF as well
behaved as those three are!

Oh, yeah? You should have seen him at Don Pablo's two nights ago! He would not stay in his seat after dinner, kept going to the fountain, nearly ran into a waiter carrying drinks (who was kind enough to say, "we are used to it", which cause me to blush with embarrasment). The only thing that brought him back to his seat? He leaned into the fountain, and his foot came off the ground, and he scared himself! (And me).

But thank you, nonetheless. And, he is fairly well behaved for the most part.

[Cinder & Smoke]

[ref: well behaved]

Oh, yeah?
You should have seen him at Don Pablo's two nights ago!

He leaned into the fountain, and his foot came off the ground,
and he scared himself! (And me).

Wha'da ya want - Purfekshun??

At least he didn't take an after-dinner DIP!

(Maybe add a bath towel to your purse kit.)