Elbows Off the Table, Napkin in the Lap, No Video Games During Dinner: The Modern Guide to Teaching Children Good Manners

by Carol Wallace

Once upon a time girls stopped wearing dresses to school and put on jeans and tie-dyed T-shirts. It was the Age of Aquarius, when old rules of behavior no longer seemed to apply. But now that the flower children have children of their own, they're starting to wonder what the new rules ought to be.

Manners expert Carol McD. Wallace, who has two sons of her own, comes to the rescue with a clear, contemporary guide to what today's parents should teach their children, when to teach it, and how to do so with turning their homes into boot camp. Here, in the kind of knowing detail only a parent could offer, are step-by-step guides
--Basic The dawn of civilized behavior, or how to teach 3- to 5-year-olds to behave at meals, say "please" and "thank you", share, and apologize.
--The Age of Refining the manners of 6- to 9- year-olds at home and abroad.
--The Young How to bring the manners of 10- to 12- year olds to high polish and, --Manners for Everything from when it's okay to bring your child into work to privacy--your own and your children's.

Genres: Parenting

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1996

About the author

Carol Wallace, the great-great-granddaughter of Lew Wallace, is the author most recently of a new version of "Ben-Hur." It is the official tie-in of the new major film, releasing in August of 2016.

Carol is also the co-author of "To Marry an English Lord," which was one of the inspirations for "Downton Abbey," and author of the historical novel
"Leaving Van Gogh." Previous titles have included humor, parenting, and social history. In 2006 Wallace received a M.A. in art history from Columbia University. The research for her M.A. thesis provided the foundation for "Leaving van Gogh." A 1977 graduate of Princeton University, Wallace lives in New York.

Reviews

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book about teaching your children manners. I like how it was broken up into age groups (3-5, 6-9, 10-12). It was organized into categories of manners (at the table, at parties, telephone, etc.) and highlighted the manners involved with brief descriptions. I like that it talked about introducing manners at certain ages even though you can't expect they will necessarily master it at that age. But that it is good to teach it and start reminding so when they can master it, it will not be a new idea to them. There are some things I know I won't bother teaching my boys - unless they master the really important things and there's time to teach more! But I'll be happy working on the major areas and hopefully raise some gentlemen.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Manners for the modern mom. This book struck my humor spot or else I was giddy at midnight reading it during a late-night nursing...
I loved how it was organized by age, gave a quick/brief overview, and was encouraging in its practicality. And to be fully disclosing I only read the parts of the book that apply to me at this stage in parenting -- not cover to cover.
My ONLY hessitation was that the manners only strive to change behavior and don't address the heart of selfishness and lack of love. Instead it is change so you'll get ahead in life. Very minor point.
I thought of Mrs. Spaulding when I read it. She's my main-line parenting tips books hotline.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

April Parenting by the Book title. Good just a bit outdated. I wish there was a newer version with more tips on dealing with technology.

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite helpful.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the BEST manners books I have yet to find! Excellent ideas!