Teaching politeness to children

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear your children say please without you asking them?

Acts of politeness brews from a safe and healthy environment. Parents can preach all they want to their children about respecting others and saying the magic words---thank you, please, and sorry to name a few--and children might even do as their parents say, but merely following orders is not what we want, we want children to really mean it.

So as the old saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Children learn by looking up to those around them. So it is crucial that parents set an example to their children by being kind and compassionate to everyone, regardless of their caste, color, gender, age or economic status. And why just stop at people? Extend your respect the same way towards plants, animals and all beings we share this planet with. Moreover, practice what you preach. Say thank you when your child does something nice for you, children like being rewarded for their efforts. Say please when you need them to do something, it is essential that they feel respected as well. And finally, most difficult of them all, say sorry to your child when you know you’re wrong. Saying sorry won’t make you any less of a person and it definitely won’t stop children from respecting you. In fact, children will learn about acceptance and humility, as they will understand that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from it and not repeat it in the future.