Open Letter to Clueless, self-centered parents;

[Mister_Rik]

@Sapo

Kids don’t do what you tell them to do, they do what they see you do.

“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” – Robert Fulghum

[cosmosdan]

@Sapo

Amen to all three paragraphs.

Especially that last one. All our friends wonder how my wife and I (both with very strong characters) manage to live together without ever having a fight. P’s and Q’s, people. That is half the battle won. Never saying a rude word to each other is also a big part of it. Our kids picked on it very quickly. Please, Thank You and Excuse Me have been part of their vocabulary since the beginning. Both at home and outside. Kids don’t do what you tell them to do, they do what they see you do.

Ditto

Express consideration and appreciation. As a manager at work I always say please and thank you to the employees even for the basics of just doing what they’re paid to do. When things don’t go smoothly and people show a little patience and understanding that’s another opportunity to express thanks.