 |
| The dress my son calls my "Skittle" dress. |
Have you
heard the sayings, “out of the mouths of babes” or “kids say the darndest
things?” The quirky things kids say when they are young are cute. However, when
they’re 12 years old or older it may not be as cute.
My
realization that kids (my kids) need tact and diplomacy came when I decided to
have a mommy makeover. I had my hair highlighted for the spring. When I picked
up my son from school he looked at me and said, “What happened to your hair?”
I responded
by saying, “I changed my look.”
As my son
raised his eyebrows he said, “You should change it back.”
I looked at
him and said, “May your children be just like you.”
My son likes
to joke around, but I have to make sure he knows what is appropriate when
joking with other people.
Another part
of my makeover included buying a new outfit. My son happened to be with me as I
tried on dresses. I exited the fitting room and asked what he thought of the
dress. “It looks like a pack of Skittles.” I purchased the colorful dress
anyway.
As I was
paying for my dress, a customer in line next to me said she wanted to see the
Skittle dress. She had overheard my son’s comment. I showed the dress to her
and she happened to like it.
So how to
you teach kids about tact and diplomacy? Discuss the tips below with your child.
- Don’t blurt out
the first thing that pops in your head. Kids need to know there is a time and place for
everything. For example, they shouldn’t blurt out, “This food is nasty,”
while at a party. Even if he thinks the statement is true, there is a
better way to express thoughts where no one feels offended.
- Be aware of other
people’s feelings. Sometimes kids don’t know when they’re hurting someone’s feelings.
Kids may tease each other or their siblings, but not realize when the joke
has gone too far. We see this all the time in schools in the form of
bullying.
- Get used to doing
things the correct way at home. I always tell my kids to
practice doing things the right way so that when they go out in public
they don’t look bad or make me look bad. I am usually referring to etiquette
things like stuffing their mouths with food, or belching at the dinner
table etc. However, practicing tact and diplomacy at home can apply to any
situation.
Social behavior is learned. Kids have to, “develop the
ability to decode body language and facial expressions, and know when to stop.
It’s one of those life tips that they learn only with guidance.” www.o5.com/how-to-teach-kids-to-be-tactful/.
What tips do
you have for teaching kids how to be tactful?
