WebParenTips - The Online Parenting Newsletter
             vol.6 no.12, December 2005

               HOLIDAY MANNERS

Call me old fashioned but I think manners are important.
Especially important in this holiday season.

There are three areas parents should stress as they talk
about special holiday manners to their children. ACT NICELY,
DRESS FESTIVELY / APPROPRIATELY, and SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL
GIFTS.

Tell all the children it is time for Holiday Manners.
Specifics of acting especially nicely now that the holidays
are near obviously depends on the age of the child but
parents should instruct their kids in what "nice" behavior
is, model such behavior, and expect their children to exhibit
such behavior at holiday gatherings with family and friends.

Nice behavior includes cordial greetings, listening
respectfully when older folks are talking, keeping the level
of noise down, and using those kind six letter words.
"Please." and "Thanks." Table manners for a festive hoiday
dinner should be rehearsed a couple of times at home.

Dress has become casual for almost all of us over the years.
A century ago one wore formal wear to a Christmas dinner and
now anything goes in many families. Not mine, however.

Children and grandchildren are expected to look neat, clean,
and appropriate. No cut-offs or sweats at my holiday dinner
table.

Now we come to the thank-you note. Again in my family this
is important. Even the toddlers "sign" a note written by
their parents. Preschoolers can print their name to such a
note and by the fourth grade every child should write a
note for every gift.

Yes I'm strict in this regard. Manners mean caring and
caring means manners. Can you think of a better time to
express how much we care for each other than the holiday
season? 

    
Happy Parenting,
Marilyn Heins, M.D.


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Dr. Marilyn Heins is a Tucson pediatrician, parenting
columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, author of the book,
ParenTips, as well as a mother, stepmother and grandmother.

She is available for workshops and lectures to groups of
parents, teachers, and grandparents. See: Dr. Heins' Lectures
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More parenting information can be found in Dr. Heins' book, ParenTips