As your children grow, good manners somehow become linked with "the boring stuff." But while they may groan at having to mind their Ps and Qs, the importance of proper conduct has to be impressed upon them. As a parent, it's your responsibility to make sure your kids know how to behave.

It is important that you do not scrimp on etiquette lessons, and we don't mean in terms of which fork to use at a formal dinner. Psychology Today recommends teaching good manners to your kids once they turn 6 (though you can certainly start earlier!) and well into age 11 to arm their social arsenal. Let FN help you get started with these 20 etiquette basics.


For more articles that can help you teach your children about manners, check out these FN articles:

• 10 Skills Your Kids Aren’t Learning in School and How You Can Teach These to Them
• Game On: 5 Tips on Raising a Child Who Grows up to Be a Winner
• Step Wars: 5 Tips for Blended Families Who Don’t Get Along
• Parenthood Problems: How to Deal with 4 Discipline Scenarios
• 5 Parenting Tips for Kids of Every Age

• Houseguest Etiquette 101: 10 Tips for Being the Perfect Visitor
• Gym Graces: 5 Rules for Exercise Etiquette
• Elevator Etiquette: 10 Courtesy Basics for Office Lifts
• Salon Etiquette: 10 Tips