Tie your shoelaces. Zip up your coat. Clean yourself after using the bathroom. Wash your hands. Chew with your mouth closed. Always say “please” and “thank you.” Hold the door for others. Share.
It can feel like the list of lessons we need to impart to our children is endless. Beyond teaching them their ABCs or how to manage money as they grow, we also have the crucial task of instilling the values of kindness and respect. This isn’t just about how they behave at home or in school; it extends to how they act in public and how to avoid coming across as entitled.
Unfortunately, it seems that many parents overlook this aspect of parenting, resulting in kids who leave trash behind or create chaos in hotel rooms, assuming it’s someone else’s responsibility to clean up their mess. They’re the ones who leave their popcorn buckets and soda cups in the theater despite the presence of a trash can. Even worse, they treat restaurant staff poorly, making unreasonable demands and leaving scant tips. The sad truth is that often, these little brats learn their behavior from the very adults who are supposed to guide them. If a child sees their parent belittling a waiter, they might think that’s acceptable behavior.
But there’s hope! Recently, a waitress at a local diner shared a heartwarming story about a group of sixth-grade boys who restored her faith in the younger generation. She recounted on Facebook how seven boys entered the restaurant excitedly wanting to order wings. Initially, she worried if they had enough money or where their parents were. But these boys were upbeat and incredibly polite, using “please” and “thank you” throughout their visit. One even asked his friend to put his phone away while she was taking their order! They left the table clean, earning praise from both the waitress and a nearby customer who even paid for their meal, encouraging them to pay it forward.
This is how we raise respectful kids, parents. Service workers deserve our gratitude. While it’s their job to serve us, it’s essential to remember they are people deserving of respect. So let’s add a few more items to our parenting checklist:
- When receiving food, make eye contact and express your gratitude.
- Clean up after yourself when you’re done eating.
- If you drop something, pick it up and dispose of it properly.
Basically, don’t act entitled.
Parents, it begins with us. When we take our little ones to see a movie, they notice whether we take our trash with us or leave it behind. They observe how we react when things don’t go as planned at a restaurant. Do we lose our cool, or do we handle it with grace?
If your tween thinks it’s funny to make a mess at a restaurant, or if your high schooler leaves a hotel room in disarray without a second thought, it’s time to reflect on the lessons we’ve taught them. Children learn by watching us—both the good and the bad. They see how we treat service staff and whether we take responsibility for our actions.
So, here’s to the parents of those sixth-grade boys—kudos for raising respectful, well-mannered kids! As a society, let’s also celebrate good behavior among our youth. Too often, we hear negative stories about young people. Yet, there are countless groups of kids striving to be kind and courteous. Let’s encourage that!
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In summary, teaching our kids to be respectful and considerate in public is crucial. It reflects on their character and shapes how they interact with others. Remember, it all starts at home.