From the category archives:
Q: A lunch with a friend was nearly ruined by a young child’s kicking the back of the booth I was sitting in. I was irritated, but my friend told me to “lighten up” and ignore it, so I did nothing. But could I have said something to the child’s parents without it becoming a [...]
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Q: I was taught that men do NOT wear any type of hat/ball cap inside at any time, unless they are a Rabbi or the head covering is a formal part of their uniform. Where did this rule of respect start? Why has it fallen by the wayside? Everywhere I go, men/boys/teens are wearing hats [...]
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Q: We recently bought a swing set for our four-year-old, but now neighborhood kids come over to play at all hours. How can we limit these visits? And should we be talking to the kids or their parents? A: Start with the parents. Discuss the issue in a friendly way, on the phone or face-to-face. [...]
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Q: Should I teach my 8-year-oild son to give up his seat to an adult when the bus is crowded, or is this an old-fashioned custom? A: Kindness never goes out of style, although, regrettably, offering your seat to a fellow passenger is a custom that’s falling somewhat by the wayside. Certainly coach your son [...]
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Q: I have a ten-year-old daughter, and I want to know if you think she should attend her uncle’s memorial service? A: Most 10-year-olds are ready for this experience, as long as they are accompanied by a parent or someone else close to them. If you decide to let her attend, prepare your daughter by [...]
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Q: My 7-year-old has started asking me questions about how much money we make and how much our house cost! How do we explain that these conversations are inappropriate? A: In our money-focused culture, it’s not surprising that your son is curious about these things. It’s actually a great chance to start a conversation about [...]
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Q: My 5-year-old never looks adults in the eyes when he talks to them. What can I do? A: For some children, especially those on the shy side, learning to look adults in the eye can be hard. But maintaining eye contact is a valuable communication skill as well as a gesture of respect. Some [...]
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Q: Whenever we get together with my family, our 15-year-old son looks like a mess – torn jeans, grungy T-shirt. I’ve told him he should make himself presentable out of respect for me and his relatives, but he says it’s his style, and I should leave him alone. A: Dressing neatly – especially cleanly – [...]
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Q: Should I continue writing thank-you notes for the gifts my six- and seven-year-old daughters receive, or are they old enough to take over? A: If your children have helped you write their notes – say, selected the stationery or signed the cards – they’ve already grasped the meaning behind them. Now they are old [...]
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Q: At the party for my ten-year-old son, many of his friends came with $10 stuffed in cards. I know parents are busy, but kids giving one another cash seems funny to me. A: Cash gifts have become widely accepted, although it is a bit unusual for preteens to give money. After all, one of [...]
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The Gift of Good Manners
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