Monkey Manners

Every summer without fail, we signed up for as many fun things as we could. There was library programs, sailing for a day hunting for oysters, music classes and more. When I saw the ad for etiquette classes, I was sure this would be a winner! In my excitement, I failed to remember on crucial point. We're talking about a seven yr old boy. Needless to say, he was less than enthusiastic. As a matter of fact, he down right refused to attend. Now normally I try to compromise but in this case, I gave in. First of all, it was supposed to be a fun time and well, if he wasn't as excited as I about napkins and crystal and burping, then who was I spoil his summer?
But I still needed to insidiously device a way to teach this child manners. Especially table manners. Thinking back, it was all too clear that I had raised a monkey boy. There was the time at the chinese buffet that his feet ended up ON THE TABLE while the rest of his body rested under the table. And what about the restaurant that saw us coming and always greeted us with a mini vac in hand?
Yes, the child needed manners. But he didn't need them jammed down his throat the same way he jammed food down his throat at the family dinner table.
My plan? It was a fast food plan. I would take him to lunches at his favorite fast food restaurants like Burger King to begin with and then ease him into the Hilton. Lunches are jammed packed at Burger King normally so no one would notice the brainwashing.
I "allowed" him to order for the both of us, like a gentleman.
I "allowed" him to set the proper place setting for us at the table.
We then engaged in **quiet** conversation about how we both thought the etiquette classes were just plain silly.
We listened to others conversations as I warned him that they too could hear his conversations when he spoke in such a loud voice. Was it really their business what he did? And wasn't that annoying to hear the lady next to us tell her tale of hernia woe?
Miraculously, my son taught himself :) manners. Enough manners to move on to a different type of restaurant. A white tablecloth restaurant.
But you know what? He already HAD manners; I had no need to worry as we sat down and the waiter pulled his chair out for him.
"Sir", the waiter greeted. "What may I bring the gentleman to drink?"
"Huh?" "me?" my son replied. "Oh, I'll just have a chocolate shake if you got em".
It's a lifelong, age appropriate thing; manners.
I know adults that have none and yet my kid?
He's well on his way thanks to Burger King! Thanks ClubBK !
~~~this post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Burger King Corp.~~~