Look around and you see some children behaving like little terrors. Chances are your mom would have made a public example of you if that ever happened when he had you out in public. Days have changed, and while physical punishments are frowned upon, that doesn’t mean you should let your child run wild. Let’s take a closer look at how to teach your son to be a gentleman.
5 Steps to Teach Your Son How to Be a Gentleman
Lead by Example
Children learn by watching their parents. This means you want to do what you want your son to do. Open doors for people, let others go first, say please and thank you, treat others with respect, etc. Your son looks up to you and expects you to guide him. He’ll treat others the way he sees you treating others.
Teach Him to Say Please and Thank You
Please and thank you are such small words but have such an impact. If you want your son to be a gentleman, you need to encourage him to say please and thank you. Every time someone does something for him, please and thank you should be expressed. You can even ask that your child address adults with sir or ma’am. The more respectful your child is when he addresses others the better.
Encourage Him to Do Nice Things for Others
Suggest that your child open a door for someone or help his mom when she’s carrying bags into the house. Teach him to look for chances to help others. It might be stepping out of line at the store to let someone with fewer items go ahead of him or picking up a mess even though he didn’t make it.
Practice Table Manners
Table manners are another true sign of a gentleman. While it may be funny to see your son burp, you need to teach him that isn’t proper etiquette at the dinner table. Your son should be taught to sit up straight, wait for others to serve themselves, and to keep his elbows off the table. He should also use his indoor voice.
Praise His Actions
Whenever you see your son acting like a gentleman, praise him. You want to let him know that he’s doing a good job and that you’re proud of him. Receiving praise will encourage him to keep doing his best.
If you want your son to act like a gentleman, you need to lead by example. He will soon mimic your actions. Show him the proper ways to do things and the right things to say and your son will grow to become the perfect little gentleman.