A major complaint from most parents is that their child appears rude when speaking to other adults, or, which is worse, rude to you around other adults.


The first thing to understand is that children learn from you. If you allow your child to speak to you or others in a certain way, that is what they will learn is an appropriate response. If you let your child repsond to you with: huh? as opposed to pardon me? They will continue to respond in that manner, regardless of who they are addressing or where.

There must be an immediate understanding that there is one appropriate response. As soon as your child says something inappropriate refuse to respond. Correct the child, and insist on being addressed or responded to in the right way. Be persistent, be consistent.

If your child is having trouble with please and thank-you, try holding on to whatever it is until the child reponds with the right word, again, be consistent, be persistent. Your child looks to you as an example for their own behaviors, be as polite toward your child (and others, at least when in front of your child) as you wish your child to be toward you.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites