I so agree that manners are still a marvelous thing for children. While my grandchildren are just as mischievous as all kids today, I have to brag about what happened today:

I have two of my grandsons most school vacations and today was one of those days. I also had a nail and pedicure appointment that I really still wanted to do, so I took them with me. They are both ten years old and really can "get going" sometimes.

I was SO HAPPY, "tickled pink", to hear as I left that the boys had sat the whole time in the waiting area as "PERFECT GENTLEMEN". What a great Christmas gift that was to me. A gift from the boys to me by being so good and a gift to me from the strangers who made a point to tell me, unsolicited, that they were so well behaved.

Let's remember to tell parents and grandparents when kids are well behaved! It's so nice to hear and the boys just "beamed" when they were praised by a stranger!

My dauaghter taught her children, early on, with the basics, "excuse me," "please," "thank you," I'm sorry," "That's not nice. Please don't do that again..." etc... Yes, i taught her to lead by example.

I have 2 grown up granddaughters but I was very fortunate to have them a lot when they were small.I bought each a beautiful china tea cup and saucer.We had "tea"every afternoon.Manners were taught at this time.25 years later my oldest granddaughter came to me and thanked me for all I taught her.She is teaching her little boy the same. Sharla in AZ