My Polite Riley

After chatting with a friend about children and manners, I realized I had become rather lenient where manners were concerned in my own home. I am a manners teacher after all---my kids should exhibit remarkable manners, right!?!?!? So, I decided it was time to buckle down with my boys and get serious about manners and proper etiquette! Just like anything else, I know it takes time and practice in order to learn anything new. I also know it has to be fun, or they won't care to learn it, much less practice it.

I decided to start things out simple. I reminded them of the importance of ALWAYS using our manner words like "please" and "thank you"! We also decided that instead of saying "you're welcome", we were going to use the words "my pleasure". I explained to the boys that it should be a pleasure and a joy to serve our family and others around us. Saying "my pleasure" sounds as if your heart is happy to serve and that makes Jesus happy!
I was pleased to see that the boys caught on rather quickly.

Fast forward a few days...

Riley and I were in the grocery store shopping for the week. We were checking out and the lady bagging the groceries asked if Riley could have a balloon. Of course, I said yes. The lady brought Riley back a bright red balloon. She then proceeded to tie the balloon onto his wrist. Riley looked up at her and very politely said "Thank you!".
I was so proud of him and happy that I didn't have to prompt him to say it.
The lady looked down at him and responded "You're very welcome!".
My sweet Riley looked back at her square in the eye, and with a rather disgusted look on his face said...
" NO!! My mom says that we don't say "You're welcome" anymore, if I say "Thank you", than you have to say "My pleasure"!


Needless to say, we still have quite a ways to go in the manners department!
Next week we will focus on being respectful to adults! lol ;)