Thank you Calendar

"Grandparents are a delightful blend of laughter,caring deeds, wonderful stories and Love."



The ability to Love, shower affection, and willingness to help and comfort their grand children has made grandparents indispensable. There can be no gainsaying the fact that their role is as important as the role of parents. Their timeless experience, their patience and their ability to create a non-compulsive learning environment is something that even parents have learnt to rely on. The role of grandparents in bringing up children is more important than ever.



One important thing, which seems to be missing in the lives of many children today, is the sense of family values and principles. This is where the grandparents step in. Inculcating beliefs and values is not as easy as it was 50-60 years ago. No questions were asked and there was an implicit sense of belief. With changing times and changing outlooks, children have started to question the authenticity of everything. They do not believe until they are convinced. Globalization has eroded the sense of belonging and identity with their roots, and science and technology has them questioning everything. The parents who are already fighting constantly with time are perhaps not in a position to inculcate these values. Children are very demanding, and grandparents without appearing to be pushy have all the time and experience to deal with tantrums. They appease, soothe, and impart values with tremendous ease.



My boys are very lucky to have two sets of Grandparents who are very much a part of their lives and their upbringing. At Christmas time I like the kids to really think about giving thanks and saying thanks for the unconditional love and support they receive from their Grandparents throughout the year. This year Master 4 has made a Calendar for his Grandparents for 2011. I asked him to draw a special picture for them and then together we talked about why they are so special to him. I then typed up the sentences and we placed them around the Calendar. It's actually really touching to listen to the things that a 4 year old values from his Grandparents. The thing that struck me the most is how all the things mentioned involved time, which reminds me once again.... CHILDREN NEED OUR PRESENCE NOT PRESENTS.



Get your free calendar template at http://www.vertex42.com/calendars/2011.html

Teaching Proper Manners to Your Child

I have a real thing about manners, not only in my home but also when I'm teaching. I am often surprised at the lack of manners that many children display, or more often that their parents don't see as significant in their child's development. Teaching your children manners is very important. For children to be successful in life, they need to have social skills as well as academic skills. And if you help young children learn polite and caring behaviour, they will continue to use good manners and become more socially aware as they get older.Here are some steps that will help you in teaching your child proper manners:

The Very Beginning
Teaching children to behave properly starts from the very first moment they start to talk. Start with the basics such as teaching them to say thank you and please. Always remember children follow what their parents do so whenever the child hands you something say thank you and if you want them to stop doing something such as shouting say please yourself as well. Similarly, your child will follow your example and do the same.

Consistency and Repetition
Reminding them constantly of manners is an important step in their learning. If they ask for something, ask them to say please first. If you give them something and they forget to say thank you, remind them to say thank you. Always do this politely.

Set an example
Parents are role model for children. If you do something, your child will follow you exactly so always show proper manners yourself such as when you sneeze say excuse me or when you yawn remember to cover your mouth.

Phone manners
Teaching your child phone manners is very important as well. Teach them to be polite while on the phone for example, 'Dad is unavailable at the moment. May I take any messages?' Soon you will notice business associates, friends and relatives complimenting you on your child's proper manners.

Eye contact
Teach the kid to make eye contact when speaking up and speak clearly. Mumbling and looking here and there is not the appropriate way. Also, being rude or misbehaving with an adult is also improper and the behavior should be punished.

Greetings
Teach your children, as soon as they are old enough to understand, to greet people by name. Learning early on to look someone in the eye and say “Hello Mr. Kelly”—instead of “Hi” mumbled at the ground—is a valuable lesson for the future.

Table Manners
Table manners for children should be the same as they are for adults, with one exception: young children should be permitted to be excused from the table, if the meal is an extended one. Expecting a young child to sit quietly through a protracted meal when his food is gone is an unreasonable demand on his patience and ability to sit still without wiggling, fiddling, and noise making to help pass the time.

Interrupting
Teach your children not to interrupt. This is part of learning to respect other people's rights. It is up to you to teach your child to wait for a break in the conversation to speak. The mother who invariably stops and says, “What is it, dear?” when her daughter interrupts is helping her to establish a habit that will do her a disservice all her life.

Fair Play
Fair play among children is really just good sportsmanship and respect for others. It includes the practice of kindness, taking turns and sharing. One of the best ways to teach fair play is by example. Parents who take turns, treat their children with kindness and share with others will be teaching their children fair play, just by their actions.

Shaking Hands
Teaching your child to shake hands is a good way to get them used to greeting people appropriately. Practice with them. Show your child how to shake hands and exchange greetings by looking you in the eye and greeting you by name.

Out and About
Children need to learn that good manners are used everywhere, not just at their grandparents. Table manners, please and thank you, polite greetings, and respectful conversation are called for at home, at friends' homes, in restaurants, at school, and even in the mall. If children learn to make good manners a habit at home, they will use them everywhere.