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Manners Begin at Breakfast

Manners Begin at Breakfast

27th June 2021

One of my favorite quotes has always been ‘Manners maketh man.’ It is an old English proverb believed to have originated from William Horman, Headmaster of Eton, who lived in England in the 15th century.

The meaning behind it is that manners really matter and what makes us distinguishably human. That proper etiquette and an understanding of what is correct, is what prevents us from becoming savages.... well, to a degree! I do think that manners seem to be more important now than ever, especially as parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children to do well. We spend so much time making sure they excel in school and in sports, but we should start by teaching them how to treat others and how to behave well when out in the world.

The idea of writing an etiquette book for modern families had its roots in this blog, which I started in 2013. So many people were asking me how I managed a busy schedule, whilst also raising five children. This blog seemed to be the ideal way to share my ideas and information on parenting tips, covering topics on everything from, what to wear to birthday parties and sibling rivalry to whether or not to get vaccinated and of course, all things manners.

And so, two years ago, the idea of writing this book was born. From the beginning, my Editor at Vendome Press thought the title should be ‘Manners Begin at Breakfast.’ It was because I kept on repeating it whilst discussing various chapters in multiple meetings, when I realized I really do believe that manners begin at breakfast, at the start of each morning. It’s the little routines that we do that make such an impact on how we parent.

I’ve put it all in this book and couldn’t be more excited that it’s here!

Hope you enjoy!


Below is a little peek into the world of “Manner Begin at Breakfast”


GAMING:

As a mother of 5, I know more about gaming than I ever wanted to know, from Creepers in Minecraft to the array of Fortnite Battles. What both of these games have in common, however, is that they can be multiplayer games. This means children can interact with strangers on public servers. T1herefore only allow my children to use a private server, and I also insist that they create avatars and never use their real names. Keeping your children safe and secure is paramount.


FIVE GOLDEN RULES FOR PLAY DATES:

Don’t schedule too far in advance; a week or less is fine, and even an impromptu last-minute play date is okay (though bear in mind it may not be convenient for the other party).

  1. Always be on time for pickup and drop-off.
  2. When your child is older, they are the guest not you, so you shouldn’t linger. Unless invited, don’t stay.
  3. Always thank the person who hosted. (A text message thanking them is fine). Similarly, make sure your child knows to say “Thank you for having me” when leaving.
  4. Always reciprocate!


APPROPRIATE GIFTS:

Don’t know what to give? Here are some thoughtful ideas for a variety of events:

Baby shower: It is advisable to select a gift from the registry, as most new parents will have wish lists and you will be able to buy them what they really need. One option is to get together with another friend and buy a joint gift, like a Moses basket or a pram. Failing that, you can never go wrong with any type of personalized baby gifts, a selection of onesies, a rattle, a baby blanket, or a toy for the nursery. Be creative.

Sprinkle: Since a sprinkle is a shower for a second or third baby, most parents should already have the basics covered, so you can give a cute outfit or choose from one of the ideas above.

MC

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