| Today, children are educated, informed, and wise | | | | as Mr. and Mrs. Plan ahead of time. If an adult friend |
| beyond their years. We expect them to walk early, | | | | says to your child, just call me Frank; teach your child |
| talk early, read early, even potty train early. As | | | | how to respectfully respond. He may say, Sir my |
| humans, we adapt, and our children are now meeting | | | | parents would like for me to call you Mr. Smith. They |
| these expectations. Along with maturing faster, the | | | | say it is more appropriate and shows respect. Will |
| children have developed a sense of being ‘an | | | | that be okay? |
| equal’ to an adult at a very young age. There is | | | | This process may take time, especially with shy |
| a lack of respect toward adults, when children feel, | | | | children who may have a hard time speaking to |
| or are made to feel, that they are smarter, wiser, or | | | | adults. Their confidence will need to be encouraged. |
| better than an adult is. Many teachers have | | | | This is why it is so important to start at a young age. |
| experienced this. | | | | For example, when the whole family is out for dinner, |
| Of course, not all children are like this, but there is | | | | each child may appropriately order their own food. |
| arrogance amongst our young ones. Unfortunately, | | | | Speak clearly to the waiter and make eye contact. A |
| we need only to turn on the television to see this | | | | shy child may feel more confident since mommy and |
| arrogant behavior from our young actors. | | | | daddy are right there for support. Addressing close |
| We need to go back to the basics and practice | | | | friends properly will also help children better be able |
| common courtesy and a general respect for others. | | | | to address new acquaintances, such as teachers, |
| Teach children at a very early age the proper way | | | | parent’s co-workers, etc. |
| to address an adult by role modeling. Make sure they | | | | Addressing an adult properly seems so minor. |
| witness you shaking hands, making eye contact, and | | | | However, this is a very important life skill and will |
| properly greeting visitors. Remember: all of this will be | | | | translate into other appropriate behaviors. Take the |
| for nothing, if after the visitor leaves, you talk bad | | | | time to teach your children to address and treat |
| about them. The child will see the common courtesy | | | | adults with respect. They will in turn, receive positive |
| as a joke, if you do this. | | | | feedback and earn respect from their adult |
| Role-play with your children in comfortable | | | | acquaintances. |
| surroundings. Teach them who to properly address | | | | |