Manners

It’s simple but so very effective. Manners.

Saying a please or thank you, demonstrating an awareness of others in our day-to-day interactions, or displaying consistent (positive) behaviour when we interact with others.

I like to think I’ve done a good job in showing my two boys good manners, and I do love to hear it when they are praised by someone outside of the family or friend group on this – we’ve had strangers on the train and people in restaurants saying how much they loved to hear them talk to each other, how polite they are when asking or ordering something, and how well behaved they are.

I mean, they are. They can also be little sh*ts when they want, but then they’re young and that’s kinda how it goes with kids. Importantly, for me, is how they behave when it counts. And I am so proud of them for it.