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Teaching Children To Accept Gifts
Graciously.
"I Already Have One
of These!" - Teaching children how to respond politely,
by Elizabeth Pantley.
Question: I just attended a friend's child's birthday party and
was shocked by the responses the child gave as he opened his gifts.
"I already have one of these." "This isn't the one
I wanted." After I was done judging this "nasty"
child, I suddenly realized that the holiday is fast approaching,
and realized my own daughter would be just as capable of making
some of these comments! How can I prevent this rudeness from happening?
Think about it: Children are
not born knowing how to politely respond to gifts, and in their
childlike honesty can say some pretty rude things. The easiest way
to prevent this is through teaching.
Teach: Have a training session
prior to the expected gift giving (before Grandma arrives at your
house). Review the possible situations. "What would you say
if you get something you already have - like another Monopoly game?"
"What should you say if you get something you don't like at
all?" And even, "What should you say if it's something
you like?" It's amazing what wonderful results occur with a
bit of practice.
Give private corrections: Even
though your child's comment appears rude and thoughtless, it never
helps to embarrass your child in front of the gift-giver. If an
impolite comment is made, simply excuse yourself and your child,
go to a private place and point out the error. Suggest something
nice to say, and return to your guest allowing your child to save
face.
Have you been doing enough
training? If your child isn't aware that his comments are inappropriate
it's a sign that you could do a bit more training about manners.
This situation may be an indication that there are other areas where
your child could benefit from education about appropriate manners.
By Elizabeth Pantley, author of Perfect Parenting and Kid Cooperation
(Excerpted with permission by NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group
Inc. from Perfect Parenting, The Dictionary of 1,000 Parenting Tips
by Elizabeth Pantley, copyright 1999)
http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
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