manners for children?

[4 Dog Mother]

I wrote a really long answer to this on Saturday but when I went to push submit, something happened and it disappeared. I was too tired to repost.

First off, Phred, thank you for the kind remarks about my grandkids and Jonah too. All 3 are good kids and are doing well with manners but they are still young. No child at their ages is perfect with manners but with the both Johanna and Christy working on it, they are all doing well!

It also sounds like the little girl Joyce is referring to is doing well also. For kids their age I think common sense has more to do with manners than a lot of other things. When going out to eat at a restaurant, be sure you are not taking an over tired already hungry child. Asking a child to wait to even get to a table for any length of time is a set-up for trouble. Like Johanna said bring little things to keep them busy. Ask the waitress for crackers or applesauce to be brought right away. Sometimes if one of us colors with them they are more apt to do the coloring than if we expect them to entertain themselves. Also tic tac toe and things can keep them busy.

If you have a shy child, manners may take longer. Dominic can hide his head in a shoulder refusing to acknowledge another's presence at all. Trying to force an already shy child will only be met with refusal to be a part of any thing.

I think most manners are also things you as an adult already know and by observing the child can judge what is age appropriate. Once they can handle a fork and spoon and make it to their mouth with food intact, they are ready to be reminded to always use their fork and spoon. Also most kids do by example.

As far as books, I am sure they are out there but I don't know where to find them.