{Instilling manners in a toddler}



Yes ma'am.

No sir.

Please. Thank you. You're welcome.

Manners are important in our household. Very important. We have always worked hard to make sure Mason knows and uses manners. It's been a challenge for sure. He will do really good and then go to school with 19 other three year olds in his class saying "Yeah" and "uh huh" and come home doing the same. We just stayed consistent and would remind him the kind way to say things. 

I've seen a few looks thrown our way during the process when we've corrected Mason and made him say Yes Ma'am or Yes Sir. But, I am okay with that. If he doesn't say it to us why in the world would he say it to anyone else? 

Well, I am proud to say that he now uses his manners without us having to tell him or correct him. And he points out when others do not use their manners.  

What worked for us?

- Consistency! Consistency! Consistency!!
- We say Yes sir/No Sir, please, thank you, excuse me, etc when we talk to Mason
- We also do this when Nathan and I talk to each other or to anyone else so that Mason can hear and see that we do
- Correcting him when he says "yeah" or "Uh-huh". We tell him that those are ugly words.
- Acknowledge his good actions with tons of praise!


This past weekend we were at Antique Alley and Mason and a man crossed paths. Mason said "excuse me". The man stopped in his tracks and turned to me and asked, "Did he just say excuse me?" I said "yes sir" and he just looked at me for a minute and said "Wow! You are raising a good one." 

The pride that filled me right then and there was so much I thought I might burst.

And then the other day I heard Mason playing with some toys and he was was even using his manners while playing!!!

Goodness, I love this boy and I love being his Mama!!!!

Is there anything sweeter than a toddler that has manners? Oh man it just melts my heart. 

11 comments

  1. Ya'll are doing GREAT! I think it is absolute greatness when you hear a toddler or even a teenager using their manners. I was brought up to use my manners and to this day I still get a surprised look here and there when I say sir and ma'am. :)

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  2. Precious!! What a little gentleman. :)

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  3. I love this post! I'm still working with my toddler on manners! Any advice would be amazing! :)

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  4. Consistency. Though I'm not a mom, I have watched my sister raise her kids and I have my disagreements. One thing I'm REALLY wanting to practice for SURE is consistency. Pinning this for future reference. Thank you! Also, he is so freakin adorable.

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  5. Oh that is fantastic!! I am so glad I'm not the only one!!

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  6. This is why I love y'all! Y'all are much like us when it comes to parenting. Mason is so sweet and I remember he used his manners in front of me at Dairy Queen that day.

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  7. the two things i want my children (and right now Mason) to learn/be as people is polite and open minded. We have gotten compliments on how polite he is as well. One thing I wish we did in the Midwest is the yes sir and yes ma'am. It's not really big here as the south. Great job :)

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  8. I think this is wonderful!! Even when we were growing up, a good while ago, manners weren't common and I still find that surprising! My parents insisted that we use ma'am, sir etc and all adults were addressed as Mr, Mrs or for more familiar friends they were Miss -first name- at the very least. I'm glad to know we aren't the only ones raising our kiddos to be respectful!

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  9. You , my friend, are raising a southern gentleman and women all around the world are thanking you right now! Now just get him to open the door for you and you are set!

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Thanks for the comments! Hope you are having an amazing day!!