Etiquette Classes?

I wouldn't say that you are crazy at all. I would suggest that you do some research and find the proper acts to do at such events. Who best to teach than mom? Saves money too.

I babysat for a girl whose mom got several etiquette books that were age appropriate and just implemented the rules at the house. She really liked them. I don't know titles, but I know she really loved the idea that she was teaching her children and not possibly putting her into the hands of someone who would be too strict/authoritarian with her daughter. I plan on doing it with my children in another year or two (for my son, longer for my daughter), and I'm going with the books so that I can choose the learning method b/c my son is rambunctious and easily heartbroken.

Not crazy at all. You might have to start one through your church. Most etiquette classes I've seen in the area start at age 7 and up through museums, community centers, etc. You can hold high tea in your home with two other moms who have daughters your girls' ages and who are likeminded. I'm having a scrapbook party for my daughter and several of her friends. Will she remember? Who knows. We'll do another again at some point, I'm sure. I think it's fun, will teach her many language arts skills, and did I mention fun? Why not do it in your home, pull out your wedding china, and have them dress up? You can put together the course and customize it to their learning styles. Make it more intimate and they will probably process it better, especially if they bake cupcakes and cookies with Mom. Bring in Dad who might also like to participate as a waiter or butler? Anyway, I'm also married to a talented musician, so I understand if your husband's schedule might not permit participation, but you could at least invite him, or plan it for a time when he's ministering in music. Have girls make invitations.... You get the idea? You can choose light classical music to greet the guests.... Just some ideas. Enjoy!

Oh, how I wish you were a bit closer to Richmond. I have the absolute perfect program for your girls! Our old-fashioned Charm School offers etiquette classes especially for girls ages 4-8, featuring costumed characters, dress-up, tea parties and make-believe. Costumed fairies "fly" into a vine-covered cottage at the edge of Fairytale Forest and need a bit of help with their manners. Miss Hattie, who lives in the cottage, enlists the aid of the children in the class to teach them basic table etiquette, how to make proper introductions, princess poise and posture, respect and courtesy for others, the art of conversation, good party manners and more. Little girls adore it.:)

Sounds like you are right on track. My mother-in-law lives about 3 hours away and has suggested she wants to have summer etiquette camp some time. She mentioned a friend of hers does this for her grandchildren and thought it would be a fun visit. Have a fancy luncheon, learn setting the table, table manners, etc. They know please and thank you, but would they know which fork to use if there was more than one? No.

I'll watch your postings to see what happens. I'd love to find something similar, not too far from Centreville. Although my MIL wants to do this, I don't think it's a bad thing to reinforce at home and in classes. I would love to feel like they are equiped to handle a formal environment when the opportunity arises. (aka, the 3 weddings we'll attend in the spring)

Good luck.

liz

-- Update --
I just saw a flier from my daughter's school... Fairfax County Park Authority is offering etiquette classes.

Personally? I think it's lovely. Nothing wrong with kids learning manners. I hope they have a lot of fun with it. Wish I had thought of it when my kids (my son especially) were little.

Lots of great suggestions here!

Many of the larger Nordstrom's offer children's etiquette and manners classes, for both boys and girls. Just call the closest store and ask. Check for flyers for etiquette classes at places like dance studios, children's clothing stores, and maybe even your local Junior League.

Hi there,
My sister is a Christian Mom of 9 and Home Schools. I'll check w/ her and see what she says. She has 5 boys and 4 girls 2 of which are twins. She also sends me lots of great links. I'll send you another message later once I look the links up in my inbox. Until then, check out www.nogreaterjoy.org
D. :)

I think you could do this at home. I can't imagine those classes being any fun and you sound like you are a mom who is respectful and appreciative herself. Teach them what you know and your children will do well at formal events too. When you do big family dinners you could set a formal table and teach. the book ideas sound great and it would save money. I don't know any kids who have enjoyed going to these classes nor do any of the ones I've seen look at all fun. Good luck.

You're not crazy! I was JUST thinking about the same thing! So many kids these days have no manners! It definitely starts at home....Maybe it's our Christian values that help us stay straight and narrow, but I wish it would rub off on some other people in the process. It's hard to be a parent in this day and age. My neighbor used to throw tea parties for her daughter...so my daughter would get dressed up and go....something similar, but where you actually teach the girls how to act (maybe find a good etiquette book to guide the 'lesson'). That would be a fun way of teaching....and also allow her friends to learn as well.

There are some offered by National Junior Cotillion in the area. If you are near Warrenton or Haymarket, email me and I'll give you the name of the lady who runs the chapter. She offers week long summer camps - for a few hours in the afternoon. They are terrific and the kids learn a LOT!!

As they get older, she has once a month classes. They learn how to dance, how to write a thank you note, how to eat, and basically how to behave.

LBC

I agree with everyone who's said to go for it. I think this kind of thing is great. One thing to bear in mind is that the best place for your girls to pick up etiquette is right there at home. There are lots of fun ways to enforce the rules of etiquette, and the most important way is simply to live and enforce them.

For fun, you could have a once-a-month (or however often you can/want to swing it) formal family dinner, get dressed up and set the table nicely, maybe invite a special friend over, make a big to-do about it. It will bring the family together, show respect for family dinners, and give you an opportunity to talk about different forks and plates in a more relaxed, neutral environment than, say, a dinner party or a wedding.

Also, remember to always have your girls help you with their thank you notes instead of just doing them yourself (they can help from the moment they can verbalize). You can make this fun; instead of grinding on them to sit down and do it, sit down with them and talk about the presents they got, talk about gratitude, talk about the person who gave the gift, talk about the time that person spent choosing the gift and thinking about your daughter, and learn why we do thank you notes.

Always use please and thank you yourself, and expect nothing less from them. Say "excuse me," and make sure they do the same. That sort of thing. If you watch your own manners and behavior and treat them with respect, they will do the same for you and for others. And that will have a much greater, much more lasting impact than any classes they can take.

Good luck to you! I really commend you for wanting to make a difference and help us all bring back some old school civility! :)

Our local YMCA just started classes, and there is a local tea room that does "mom and daughter teas" with etiquette lessons for the little girls.
Look around your area, you may be able to find something.
K.

halleluyah Lady! Let me know When you find them! It's awful how kids speak and act in school these days and what is deemed acceptable. It's nuts! I work in a city elementary school- what happened to Please and Thank you? Don't forget to post a 'what happened' if you find something. I love to find out too.
:-)

I think the best teacher your children can have, especially at this age, is you! Modeling the behavior you expect from them, listening and explaining your standards/morals to them, setting boundaries...all of these will go far in setting a strong foundation for your girls. When you see unacceptable behavior from other people (in books, movies, tv or real life), use the example to discuss what was wrong with the scenario and role play a better outcome. These are all things I have done with my almost 6 yo since she was born and she gives me reasons to be proud of her every day. Good luck, wouldn't it be nice if all parents did these things!

Hi Proud,
I don't think you are crazy at all. When I was younger we had to set a formal table for holiday dinners and dress our Sunday best. I have a daughter who is 6 and I would love these kinds of classes for her as well. I will be watching the responses that you get because they can help me too.

Hi Proud M. B,

I have always planned for my girls to take etiquette classes as well. My oldest is 4 1/2 and my youngest is 19 months. I looked up etiquette classes online and most of them won't start until the kids are around 8 yrs old. I would love for you to find any that start young because I would love to enroll my oldest and eventually my youngest. Best wishes in finding one.

God bless,
D. M.

I have read the responses to your request, and I have a few thoughts. It seems that your children could learn proper behavior from you (from an expense stand point). I didn't think etiquette classes were even offered! Obvoiusly not many children are going, nor have their parents! Anyway, I don't think it's a bad idea, it just seems that you have them on the right track on your own. From reading the feedback, the classes look like they coach through "pretend" activities, which would be a lot of fun for children. But may be a little "retro", in that I don't see many people with formal lifestyles or entertaining in a formal manner anymore. You can still have good manners without being formal, so it really is up to you to decide if you can coach your children, or would they respond better to a taecher outside of your home. Good luck.

I live in Gaithersburg, and I know that the county has a program that teaches manners, etc. that it offers through its recreation dept. I receive the catalog of classes in the mail, but it's available online too. Most of these classes are only about 6 weeks, but it would be a good start, and they are very affordable. Good luck!

Hello! I think its a great idea. I checked out your profile to see where you live. I used to live near you in Alexandria! I'm sure that you have many places you can find in that area that will be good for your girls! I agree w/most others in that we need some polite kids running around! My BOYS are 5 and 2, and they at least say please and thank you (most of the time)! but, they too, would have no idea how to sit still/behave at a formal dinner! I also wanted to commend you for staying home w/your kids in an area that demands so much time/income for survival! I do NOT miss living there! (except for the shopping and being close to national museums, etc!) I think its great that you are wanting to raise your girls to be respectful Christian girls! God Bless and Merry Christmas!

first of all i am proud of you that you want to encourage good behavior. yes ettiquette is something that needs to be learned. here in baltimore there is a school for manners. i even get the newsletter but i couldnt tell you the name of the school. but i am sure you can find something just googeling it. 2nd i am very very happy you are
Christian family who love Jesus.

You are so RIGHT ON! I LOVE IT! As a mom with all boys, I am so excited to hear that a mom with all girls wants her girls to be....LADIES! YES! YES! YES!

I have a friend of mine, that introduced us to Civil Air Patrol for our oldest son. Her foster daughter is also enrolled in the C.A.P. She was telling me about the ballroom dance lessons that Faatima is taking. Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you can't have ladies dancing without the gentlemen there to lead. LOL So I was asking about it for my oldest son. It's a program (I will find the name for you) that teaches etiquette, ballroom dance and other dances as well for both boys and girls. I'm not sure of the total cost but I know it was rather expensive.

I will find out the info for you and get back to you soon. I hope to see them tomorrow at C.A.P. class. I'm in VA are you here too?

Good job mom! I love what you are looking to do for your girls. Merry Christmas!

Take Care,
N. :) SAHM homeschooling 3 boys and married to my Mr. Wonderful for 15yrs. I love to help other moms, who want to become SAHMs, reach that goal!