November 27, 2009
- Start Early!
Dear Mrs. Figgins:
Our twin boys are turning 5 this coming February. We’re having their birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Their Grandma is big on good manners.
We’re hoping to raise gentlemen – not wild bulls.
Are there etiquette rules that we should teach the boys at this early age and any we can follow ourselves?
Marv and Julie Stein
Dear Marv and Julie:
You’re correct in teaching the boys proper etiquette at an early age.
To your point of not wanting to raise wild bulls, just know that even calves begin learning proper behavior or “social learning” as a crucial part of their development.
The birthday party is for the kids, but it’s important to be sensitive to Grandma and Grandpa as well, since it’s their house.
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Don’t distribute invitations at kindergarten unless you plan on inviting all the kids in the class. Instead you should mail the invitations or call the parents directly. You certainly don’t want for any of their classmates to feel left out.
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A good rule is to invite one guest for each year of the boys’ age, plus one. Since you have twins, this formula applies for each birthday boy. So, double the fun!
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Explain to the boys that they must greet each of their guests with: “Hello, Thank You for coming to our party”. This will be simple enough for them to handle.
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Make sure to have plenty of activities, games and plenty of supervision.
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As the guests begin to leave the boys should again say “Thank You” to each of their guests.
These steps are simple enough for the boys to follow.
Here’s to double the fun!
Mrs. Figgins
Children Issues, Etiquette, How To, Love, advice
