I know it sounds a bit crazy. Thinking about preparing your child for the big, scary “real world” sounds absurd. After all, your kid isn’t even close to college age yet. So what’s the big deal?
Honestly, kids are growing up so fast these days. They are growing up in a world dependent on technology, and as a result more kids can work smart phones than can tie their own shoes. But as far as life skills, kids are starting to fall behind. Kids aren’t learning manners quite like they used to. They are also missing out on the importance of etiquette and how to work with other people. If these children are the future of our country, what does that say about our future?
Here are a few things that we should be teaching our children for a better future.
A. Manners
Teaching kids good manners has fallen by the wayside. Typically, this type of behavior comes from the parents as well. The entire point of having good manners is for one person to demonstrate to another person that there is some level of respect.
Saying “please” and “thank you” are of, course, the biggest ones. But also saying “you’re welcome” to someone who thanks them is very important. If your kid accidentally bumps into someone, or is unintentionally standing in their way, they should learn to say “excuse me.” Teach them not to scoff, roll their eyes, or make faces at people.
B. Etiquette
Yes, there are still proper rules for eating at the dinner table. The dinner table is often the only time the whole family can come together to enjoy a meal and share the events of their day. Even if it’s drive-thru fried chicken on the menu for the evening, this is a moment that should still be shared among parents and kids alike.
Allowing your child to text on his or her phone during dinner is not enforcing proper etiquette. Also leaving without asking to be excused, leaving elbows on the table, and reaching across the table are all very rude and should be enforced. I know this sounds old fashioned, and it may not matter among your family. But do you want your kid doing the same thing at a friend’s, or, worse yet, boy/girlfriend’s house? It gives off the appearance of sloppiness, which is no way to make a positive impression with anybody.
C. Learning to work with other people.
This is a big one. Kids from a very early age should learn the importance of sharing and cooperation with other kids, mostly because they will have to do the same thing in the workforce. Very few jobs do not require working with other people, so setting kids up for life on how to work with people is more likely to take them places when they get older.
Part of this learning process is separating them from you. Kids feel more confident when their parents are sitting on the sidelines, watching carefully in case something happens.
Kids need to learn that independence and how to break down that barrier by attending camps with other kids who are in this vulnerable position. Many summer programs for high school students are designed to help students deal with being independent. They also try to foster their growth into leadership and their desire to be active. Studies have proven that kids who get involved are more likely to go to college and to obtain a full-time job soon after college.
So by teaching your kids these simple tactics to everyday living, they will not only find success in the “real world,” but also make our future appear much brighter.
This was a Guest Post contributed by Author: Carrie L.
Bio: Carrie is an old fashion mid-western mother of two who spends her spare time teaching middle school history. In addition to the never ending task of raising “Daisy” and “Ice Man” (Dad got to pick one of the nicknames…), Carrie enjoys contributing her unique thoughts and opinions to parenting and travel blogs.
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