Manners for Kids (and Parents)

Elbows on the table, back talk, and trips to the rest room — how are the kids doing when it comes to the social graces? Teach your kids how to behave at the dinner table and when they're out with friends, with these articles, tips, and advice. Are you well trained in the ways of etiquette? Find out with this Table Manners quiz!

Manners Matter Teaching kids manners may seem like an uphill battle, but don't despair. These tips and resources can help. Nine Steps to Good Manners Five Bad Behavior Busters Perfect Pigs: An Introduction to Manners Your Child's Behavior Away from Home Dealing with the Disabled Dealing with the Visually Impaired Teaching Your Toddler to Share The Magic Words: Teaching Your Toddler Manners Table Manners Teaching kids good table manners can be tough. Take the easy route and follow these tips to improve not only your child's manners, but your own at the dinner table. Ten Common Dining Mistakes Table Manners: Frequently Asked Questions Eating with Elegance Braving the Buffet Properly Facing a Formal Dinner Gracefully Dining Out: Tricky Situations Dining Customs of Different Cultures More on Etiquette Meeting, Greeting, and More Read tips on properly handling introductions and greetings with others. Handling Introductions Properly How to Handle Introductions Gracefully Business Rules for Meeting and Greeting Gracious Greetings Between Cultures Kids' Relations with Adults Writing Letters: The Letter Format Invitations: Sending and Receiving Gift Giving Read tips on giving, receiving, and thanking for gifts. Gift Ideas for Special People and Special Occasions Children and Gift Giving The Gift Quiz Teaching Children the Art of Correspondence Compliments, Insults, and Bad News Learn how to give compliments and criticizm properly and find tips on dealing with other's bad news. Delivering Criticism Smoothly Perfecting the Art of the Compliment Dealing with Bad News Gracefully How to Handle Difficult Conversations Manners Quizzes Are your kids barbarians or well-mannered ladies and gentlemen? Your answers to two sets of questions may tell the tale. Quiz: Table Manners Quiz: Living Manners Polls It's your turn to share your opinion! What kind of manners do your kids use at fancy family feasts? Which type of etiquette is the most important to teach young children? On the Playing Field Good sportsmanship is the byproduct of good manners. When Good Kids Are Bad Sports Sports Gone Sour? Parents Behaving Badly