Teaching children respect

October 7th, 2010

Have you heard the complaint that kids nowadays do not show proper respect?

I read an Agatha Christie mystery where a room full of eyewitnesses were not able to identify the culprit, because the murderer was dressed as one of the housekeepers in the hotel, and “no one ever looks at the face of servants.”

Respect for people starts with showing respect to those who serve us.

Here are some ways to do that with our children:

* As you drive down the street and see construction workers or gardeners, talk about the value of each role and the skills it takes to do that job.

* Say hello and thank you to cashiers by name, they usually wear a name tag.

* When you go out to eat, teach your children to clean up their own mess to make the job of the waiter a little easier.

* Give your children occasional small gifts to give to the janitor and aids at their school.

* Say thank you when you see workers cleaning the bathroom or sweeping the floor in public places such as amusement parks, restaurants, or stores.

What other suggestions do you have?

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