A mother should never allow any disrespect in her children’s manners toward herself, nor toward any one older than they are. They should be taught especially to reverence the aged.
Habits of politeness and kindness to the poor are of great worth, and easily formed in childhood.
Virtue is born of good habits, and the formation of habits may be said to constitute almost the whole work of education.
Habits have been compared to handcuffs, easily put on and difficult to rid one’s self of.
Those parents who regulate their lives in accordance with the commands of the Bible, find many verses which are of great assistance in teaching politeness to young children, such as, “Be ye courteous one to another,” “Be respectful to your elder,” “Do to others as ye would that they should do to you,” etc.
A child should be thoroughly trained with regard to table manners. The well-bred child will not chew his food with his mouth half open, talk with it in his mouth, nor make any unnecessary noises in eating; and he will handle his knife and fork properly.
Children should be taught that it is very rude to look into drawers or boxes, or, in fact, to meddle with or handle anything away from home that is not intended for them to play with.
Children should be made to understand that they must not ask too many questions promiscuously, such as, “Where are you going?” “What have you there?” etc.
A child should be taught never to tease a playmate’s mother, or to have its own mother teased by a playmate. Teasing should not be allowed.
Children should never be allowed to say “I won’t” and “I will,” even to each other.