We have talked before about THE GOLDEN RULE and how it is the basis for good manners. So many religions and philosophies in the world have a similar belief that it is now commonly referred to as The Global Golden Rule. For our educational purposes we use the following version: "Treat others the way you want to be treated."
No family can expect to have any semblance of peace and harmony in the home without our action statement for families: "I'll treat my family the way I want to be treated." Remind your children of the similar statement we introduced in our previous blog entry on The Golden Rule, which is "Treat others the way they treat you." Ask your kids what the difference is in the two statements. Having them create role plays to show the difference will help solidify the concepts.
One of the most important family interactions requiring The Golden Rule is that with siblings. A fun game to emphasize this is where you offer two types of scenarios to your kids. In the first, are things they do/or don't do within the home and family. We call this "I'll Treat Others..." Some suggestions here would include: "Respect each other's space..." Enter their room only when asked..." "Share toys, games, and stuff..." "Give compliments, encouragement, and affection..." Add your own.
In the second scenario, ask your kids to respond to each of the situations you presented in "I'll Treat Others..." with what they would do or say, under the heading of "So They'll Treat Me..." An important consideration here is to encourage your kids to initiate the good behaviors in the first scenario; not just wait for their siblings to do them first.
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As a grandmother of nine, I like this site very much and wish I’d found it sooner. I feel it’s important to learn good manners early. In a society full of bullying and self-centered children, it is helpful to teach your children the benefits of consideration for others and being polite. A book emphasizing good manners as well as the Golden Rule is The Magic Word by Sherrill S. Cannon. This book is a rhyming story of a little girl who was rude, selfish and demanding – and had very few friends. Her mother suggested that she needed to improve her manners; so when she went to school the next day, she thought of her mother’s advice, “What is the magic word?” and she started saying “Please” and also “Thank You”. She tried to become more thoughtful of others, and discovered that she was a much happier person. The repetitive use of the phrase “What is the magic word?” has children answering “Please”! One of the important lines in the story is “If you want to make friends, you must be polite and treat them the way that you know you would like”. That’s what the Golden Rule is all about!
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