Little Miss Manners

Parents these days are busy. Whether they’re working to pass Proposition 2 1/2 overrides or forcing their kids to give up their birthday presents for charity, it’s hard to fit in the mundane tasks of raising a child. Which is why etiquette classes for kids are becoming wildly popular.

Instead of working on the nuances of ‘please’ and ‘thank you ‘at home, harried parents are giving their kids over to the professionals to educate them basic table manners, even though experts say young kids learn the rules best at home.

Two area psychologists. . . questioned the utility for younger children, who tend to pick up the social skills they need – such as altruism and empathy – from parents and teachers.

Or you can do what our parents did—bring the kids to grandma’s house. Nothing makes a kid stop slurping at the last bit of milk in the bottom of a glass like a death glare and well-timed cough from the grandparents.