GainesvilleMoms.com

At what age to you start teaching your children proper manners? We've been teaching my 3-year-old to say "Please" and "Thank You" -- but it's about a 50/50 shot that he remembers without a little "What do we say?" I feel manners are really important to teach him now, when he's impressionable. Here are some tips I found:

http://www.a-family-solutions-network.org/site/963921/page/855451

We've been working on manners with our 3 y/o since he was old enough to talk and sit at the table. He's good about please and thank-you, but his table manners leave a little to be desired (talking with mouth full, not using utensils). But, we're working on it, and he's only 3, and I can cut him some slack for a little longer, I guess. But he's also on a trend where he TELLS me what he wants, "Mommy, I want yogurt!" instead of "Mommy, may I have a yogurt?" My response is always "I didn't hear a request or a question there, did you?"

It's tough at this age. Little ones are just innately selfish at this stage. I read that compassion and understanding and realizing that the world does NOT spin around their whims usually kicks in between 3.5 to 4 years of age. So we're close, LOL!

We started with please and thank yous from day one and K is very polite in that way. She will be 2 in August but she almost always says please when she wants an object - wanting someone to do something though is another story, she's a little bossy in that department. But she always, always, always says thank you and your welcome. Table manners are still a work in progress but we are getting there. Just remember that the little ones do and say what they see and hear!!!!

We also begin as soon as they're talking. But keep the faith, my friends ; my ten year old still needs a reminder once in a while.