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Changing the World One Manner at a Tme

A few weeks ago, I bought the book Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson.  It is wonderful and just what I feel I need to read right now.  The book makes me more aware of what I am doing with my girls and also what the world is trying to do to them!
The first part of the book talks a lot about manners.
It seems a lot of our worlds problems are due to bad manners, or lack of manners.  We live in a VERY self-centered, ME centered world.  We seem to be drifting away from the Golden Rule:  "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

I am thankful that my parents and grandparents taught me to have good manners.  Good manners have always been important in my family.
Am I always a bright , shining example of good manners????  No, I am not!  But, I know when I am not having good manners and it is due to laziness and self-centeredness.
I strive for good manners in myself and my girls.

Sheryl Eberly, who wrote 365 Manners Kids Should Know says,  "living by the Golden Rule releases the power of a thankful heart to those trained to practice it."  She also says that manners teach "others-centeredness and respect."

Dobson says that manners "tend to facilitate morals and develop confidence and poise."


I LOVE when children say,  yes mam and no mam and when they have good eye contact and say please and thank you.  It is so refreshing to hear and experience!!!!

We are not there yet, but by golly we are trying!

Comments

Leslie said…
I don't know if I've ever commented before, but I enjoy reading your blog. And, I just added the manners book to my Amazon order. I see so many examples where manners are slipping by the wayside, and I don't want my children to follow suit. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Laurie! I SO agree with you. I am most certainly not a perfect parent but manners have always been very high on my priority list and we've worked extremely hard at raising respectful children. My kids are now 11, 13 and 14 and the hard work certainly pays off. We've had complete strangers come up to us many times and tell us how well behaved our children are in public. Waitresses/waiters often make kind comments when our kids order their own food using please and thank you while looking her/him in the eye. It's hard when they are little but keep up the hard work....the reward is huge!! (We are now working on the teenage attitude......manners were much easier. Just sayin'!)
jenmom said…
I loved reading Dobson's "Bringing Up Girls"...I've gone back to it often since the first read through. You might also be interested in Vicki Courtney's books "Your Girl" and "Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter"...both exceptional books on raising our girls!
Becky said…
I am an advocate of good manners too. I always encourage my grandsons (little guys) to open doors for ladies (if they can), etc. The other night my husband and I were somewhere and a young man walked out before me and must not have noticed us behind him because he came back and opened the door. I always try to be polite!
Kim said…
My parents were not perfect but they did teach me manners. I didn't (and still don't :() always use them but I was taught! What a blessing to E and SK these lessons will be!
Manners are so important. A friend of my husband has told him many times that he left a lasting impression with his parents because when he was introduced to them he stood up and shook their hands and said "It's so nice to meet you." My husband was in the 3rd or 4th grade at the time.

When children hear us being polite the pick up on it and it doesn't go unnoticed by others.
Brittney said…
This is my first time commenting but I have been a long time reader of your blog! I have to brag a little and say that my little girl (she is 4) is very polite. She always says "please", "thank you", "excuse me", and "bless you". We are still working on "yes ma'am/sir and no ma'am/sir". It always makes me so proud when someone points out how polite she is! I'm definitely going to pick up the two books you mentioned!
Angie said…
I love James Dobson's books!
Tara G. said…
Another book you and your girls might enjoy is by Rick Santorum's wife and is called Everyday Graces. :)
The Yarbrough's said…
I definitely believe there are so many people that don't have manners anymore. It's crazy. I think it's great you are teaching your girls at a young age. The world needs more mothers like you. :)
Susie said…
Hi Laurie! Its funny that your blog post is about manners because it seems that's all I've preached this week to my two boys. I am definantly checking out the book. THANKS!
Johanne said…
Laurie, your post is exactly what I needed to hear today. I am having a difficult time right now with daycare parents. Treating me with disrespect and their own self centeredness. I just want to lash back and give them a taste of their own medicine but reading your comment about, do unto others and you wish was done to you. So it reminded me that I could never be that person and treat them the way they treat me.

Thanks I needed to hear that <3
Carrie said…
Be careful with no mam or yes sir, etc. To some people, primarily not southern, this is almost viewed as being fresh or flip. My Dad's family was from south of the mason dixon line and when I spent time with them I used those phrases. I slipped sometimes in school and was quickly corrected by my teachers. I do say no mam to my little girls to make it clear that it is an absolute no but in tje north I never as them to say it back. I do expect no thank you or yes please though!
Jill said…
Love this post. I'm going to look for that book. We're working on no ma'am, no sir, etc. :)
Lindsay said…
Oh my gosh! The teenage attitude is about to do me in! Imagine how much harder it would be if we hadn't worked on the manners first, though. Ha!

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