Anyone with children will know, the battle over ‘please and thank you’ is one that probably gets fought on a daily basis.
An Auckland mother, frustrated by her own daughter’s lack of proper etiquette, has drawn a line in the sand, and taken manners matters into her own hands.
Earlier this year, Jodi Temporo set up a school teaching kids and young adults the basics of good behaviour in an effort to bring back some necessary social niceties.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Temporo said the idea for Mr and Mrs Manners was sparked after seeing 13-year-old’s Asia’s poor manners in action.
Manners school founder, Jodi Tempero wants to teach children the basics of social etiquette
Ms Tempero’s said seeing her daughter Asia’s (pictured) manners in action moved her to starting the school
‘I’ve always been a fairly strict mum when it comes to manners especially around dining, however I noticed that my daughter had less than perfect manners one night at a family BBQ.
‘It just hit me in the face and I realised then that I had let them slip.’
The school, which has now been operating for five months, teaches children how to behave in a number of different social situations from dining to meeting others for the first time and representing themselves well.
Ms Temporo’s main aim though is to teach consideration, respect and kindness.
‘The goal is to inspire, educate and empower them by teaching courtesy and respect through role play exercises,’ she said.
‘We give them the tools for proper etiquette and good manners for all situations.’
Jodi Temporo, with daughter Asia, demonstrating how to behave in a fine dining situation
The manners expert said feedback on the classes – which cost NZ $150 per hour for one-on-one sessions to programmes starting at NZ $220 – has been really positive, especially for families with sons aged seven to 12.
‘There are a lot of other parents in my situation that don’t necessarily have the time or the effort to be nagging at their children constantly on their table manners,’ she said.
‘Children often respond better too when being taught by someone else other than their parents.’
While common courtesies are essential for day-to-day interactions, Ms Tempero also believes good manners will get your further in life.
‘Setting your kids up with manners when they’re young will set them up for a lifetime of success with family, friends and co-workers.
‘We need manners to gain respect from others that will in turn open up doors for you throughout life.
‘They will help you form positive relationships with teachers, friends, parents, bosses and most importantly they give you confidence.’
Ms Temporo also notes our computer-obsessed culture may well be to blame for a loss of social mores.
‘Good manners has become a dying art as I think screens have replaced people,’ she said.
‘Kids can be sitting in the same room as each other and there’s no talking, they’re all on social media and texting each other. Adults aren’t much better.’
Ms Temporo said she understands that overworked parents may struggle to manager poorly behaved children, she stresses the importance of proper role modelling
‘Manners and etiquette are a learned behaviour so it’s our duty as parents to be good role models and set the standard’ (stock photo)
While Ms Temporo said she understands that overworked parents may struggle to manager poorly behaved children, she stresses the importance of proper role modelling.
‘Manners and etiquette are a learned behaviour so it’s our duty as parents to be good role models and set the standard,’ she said.
‘If we are texting at the dinner table or speaking in a rude manner, your child will pick up on these behaviours and copy them.
‘If you want to raise a well-mannered child, the first thing you must do as a parent is take a good look at your own behaviour.’
‘Manners are easy to teach. As parents, we just need to be good examples, she concluded.