Whoopi's Big Book of Manners

2007-07-09-whoopi's big book of manners.jpg So, Whoopi Goldberg wrote a children's book. It seems like the route for most celebrities these days- eventually they all want to write a children's book. We caught Whoopi plugging the new book on a daytime talk show a week or so ago. Well, we actually like the fact that she wanted to focus in on the topic of manners. After all, please and thank you are still important things to learn.

Goldberg addresses a myriad of situations appropriate to kids from kindergarten to grade three. She talks about table manners, cleaning up after yourself, and even not letting your cell phone ring- we hope this part isn't aimed for the kids, but the parents!

How do you teach your kids manners?

Comments (3)

By example and repetition. Gentle reminders. Praise when good manners are used. Our 3yo says please and thank you, corrected a bank teller when she didn't tell me "you're welcome", bless yous every time she hears a sneeze, anywhere...

posted by jenniferw on July 9th 2007 at 10:18am
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My best friend has a 2 year old and a 8 month old. While in the car wtih the three of them the other day... babies strapped in back - the baby sneezed continuously... and the big sis said, "Bless you." each time. Too sweet!

I don't have kids but believe feircely in manners. My nieces and nephew don't get birthday gifts from Auntie anymore because they don't send thank you notes.

I live out of state... and feel that the effort to select a gift, package it and mail it time for the child's birthday should at least garner a phone call thanking dear auntie - if nothing else to let me know that it arrived!
At Christmas, they thank me in person and that's enough for me. But the birthday thing has me rankled.

posted by clickchick on July 9th 2007 at 11:21am
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We're big on manners here...we're southern, it's a given. ;) My 2 year old daughter says "Bless You" after each sneeze, "Goodness" after each cough, and says Yes Ma'am and No Ma'am. We're working on table manners (using her spoon or fork is a big one) and covering her mouth when she coughs. It's pretty much a matter of repetition on my part and making sure I set good examples. Luckily, her day care teachers are diligent about manners too. There's little in this world that I find more annoying than a rude child.

posted by tgray99 on July 9th 2007 at 7:03pm
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