The message that eating food with your hands is unmannered is dripping with the control and shame of colonization, and it’s a harmful one to teach kids.

We need to rethink the way we teach kids table manners

a:1:{i:0;s:642:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/family-life/kids-breakfasts-from-around-the-world/" target="_blank">
<img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2019/07/breakfast-around-the-world-hawaii-440x248.jpg" alt="young girl eating omelette" width="440" height="248">
<span>This is what kids' breakfasts look like around the world</span></a>";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1567096098;s:6:"author";i:238977;}

Food

Family

Let us help navigate daily life with your growing family, with everything from kids’ craft and activity ideas to advice on discipline and birthday party inspiration.

Parenting

I was mortified by my children’s table manners—and nearly wept with joy after the etiquette lady was done with them.

Taming the feral beasts: I sent my kids to etiquette classes

a:1:{i:0;s:652:"<style>
.related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:.5rem;margin-left:.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}
</style>
<a class="related-article-block" href="https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/8-tips-for-teaching-your-child-table-manners-2/" target="_blank">
   <img src="https://platform-production-assets-us-west-2.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/tp/2013/12/table-manners-istock351.jpg" alt="kid eating spaghetti with sauce all over his face">
   <br>
   <span>Age-by-age guide to teaching your child table manners</span>
</a>
";}

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1510151806;s:6:"author";i:232289;}

Kids

Learn how to discipline your preschoolers and toddlers:  Tips and tactics that work, whether or not to spank, and how to manage different parenting styles.

Discipline

The Canadian Down Syndrome Society is taking sorry out of your vocabulary with a follow-up message from last year's #AnythingButSorry campaign.

Sorry, not sorry—this Down Syndrome campaign is the sh*t

Special needs

Are you raising a child with special needs? We're here to help with personal stories, expert advice, the latest research, and tips on how to support your child.

The point is to teach kids the importance of expressing gratitude, and I don’t think obligatory thank-you notes teach them that.

Thank-you notes are the worst and we should totally ban them

Holiday

Blogs

Opinion

Ever been on the subway, minding your own business, when some well-intentioned--yet presumptuous--stranger offers you and your non-existent baby a seat?

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1494943926;s:6:"author";i:232659;}

High-tech alarm helps pregnant women get a seat on public transit

The secret superpowers of all pregnant women

Humour

Why fancy restaurants should ban kids

a:2:{s:4:"time";d:1491478020;s:6:"author";i:232475;}

Is using a tablet to keep your kid occupied lazy parenting?

Age-by-age guide to teaching your child table manners

Behaviour

Starting to wonder if your child will ever remember to use a fork, let alone a napkin? We’ve got tips that will help bring (some) order to your dinner table.

8 tips for teaching your child table manners

a:2:{s:4:"time";i:1463497224;s:6:"author";i:231777;}

Picky eaters: 3 experts weigh in on your FAQs

6 ways to get your picky eater to try new foods 

Toddler behaviour

As kids grow, their repertoire of social skills should expand beyond basic "please" and "thank you."

a:2:{s:4:"time";i:1467123208;s:6:"author";i:231903;}

3 tips for teaching your toddlers manners 

How to help your kids remember their manners 

Playdates

From handling first crushes and anxiety to when you should start music lessons and talk about Santa, learn all about how to support your school-aged kids. 

Everything you need to know about kids and toddlers, including behaviour and development, sleep, potty training, preschool, and how to handle picky eaters.

School-age

Nose picking, shirt sucking, hair twirling, knee jiggling—your kid might just have one of these bad habits. Here's how to get her to cut it out without shaming her.

a:2:{s:4:"time";i:1463504200;s:6:"author";i:45757;}

How to get your kid to stop biting his nails

Baby teeth: When do kids start losing them?

Social skills

What to do if your big kids are slobs at mealtime.

How to teach your big kid table manners

a:2:{s:4:"time";i:1447849905;s:6:"author";i:120683;}

How to deal with the constant “Why” question

Steps and Stages

You need to have patience (and lots of it) when teaching toddler manners.

a:2:{s:4:"time";i:1433945659;s:6:"author";i:120683;}

Family dinner: A minute-by-minute account

How to help your kids remember their manners

Your toddler's language and motor skills are growing rapidly month to month. Here’s what milestones to expect with your toddler. 

Toddler

Everything you need to know about your growing toddler, from picky eating to potty training, navigating bedtime to managing tantrums.

Toddler development

Two parents discuss whether holiday thank-you cards are a sweet gesture or a waste of time.

a:2:{s:4:"time";i:1447864730;s:6:"author";i:156037;}

Teach your kids to appear grateful (even if they aren’t)

4 things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving

In a world where the focus is always on "I want" and "I want more," we explore how to raise an appreciative child.

How to raise an appreciative child

a:2:{s:4:"time";i:1412851640;s:6:"author";i:5331;}

Manners

We need to rethink the way we teach kids table manners

Taming the feral beasts: I sent my kids to etiquette classes

Sorry, not sorry—this Down syndrome campaign is the sh*t

Thank-you notes are the worst and we should totally ban them

When you’re offered a seat on public transit...but you’re not pregnant

Why fancy restaurants should ban kids

Age-by-age guide to teaching your child table manners

4 social skills school-age kids should know

How to get your kid to break her bad habits

How to teach your big kid table manners

3 tips for teaching your toddler manners

Should kids write thank-you cards for holiday gifts?

How to raise an appreciative child