Teens Giving Back continued from page 20 Teens & Manners continued from page 21 it is to work as a part of a community and not as a single individual. The benefits of helping others be safe, develop, grow, and learn are quite enjoyable. What are your future goals? I want to get an engineering degree and use it to help create something that will change the world. I am interested in so many different things, that I know that I will be exploring new adventures for a long time to come. Hopefully, I will enjoy some financial freedoms that will allow me to continue helping my community in the ways that I find interesting and beneficial. Summer Camp Preview Registration Opens March 1 1th Go to recreation.fauquiercounty.gov for camp listings and more details commenting on others’ choices and actions. And that’s not exactly conducive to promoting a culture of acceptance and respect for others. Even television shows aimed specifically at children and teens often show young characters who are bossy and demanding to their parents, teachers, or friends. The “diva” seems to be a central an often imitated character in so many television shows and movies for children. Be aware of what your child is watching on television and how much time he spends on social media. Have open discussions about what they are seeing and hearing and how those behaviors might conflict with your family’s values. Talk about what behaviors are not acceptable and what better choices could be made. Monitor your own social media usage as well. If your child sees you oversharing, commenting on other people, or using bad language, he’ll get the message that rudeness is acceptable, at least in the cyber world. Set Rules–and Enforce Them Home is the perfect place to establish guidelines that can help your teen practice self-control, patience, and getting along with others. Have family rules about things such as meal times, household chores, cell phone usage, and respecting parents and teachers, siblings, and friends. Discuss the rules clearly and establish consequences for breaking them. For example, establish that having a cell phone is a privilege. The family rule is to not use the cell phone during homework or family times; if that rule is broken, the phone is taken away for a specified period of time. These rules will help to create a respectful environment in your home, making your daily family life more enjoyable. They’ll also help to guide teens toward appropriate behavior that can be applied in adulthood. For example, establishing rules about meal times and using good table manners makes your family meals more enjoyable, and also teaches your teens social skills that will be applicable in adult situations such as job interviews or business meetings. Manners Matter We want our children to thrive and succeed and to be accepted by their peers and society at large. Having good manners and knowing how to interact appropriately with others is the basis for that. Manners provide rules to help teens feel safe in this world and comfortable around their peers, teachers, and even new acquaintances. Manners act as a set of rules to help guide teens into adulthood and become contributing, self-confident members of their communities. Quite simply, though, it’s just nicer to be around people with manners! Take time each day to model good manners, encourage your children to use their manners, and create a home environment with consistent rules based on respect for themselves and the friends and family around them. The results are worth the effort for you and your teen. Danielle Rice is publisher and former editor of Piedmont Family Magazine. She was raised in a family of 6 children where table manners and household rules were strictly and lovingly enforced. She and her husband strive to instill similar values in their family and model good manners for their children, ages 17, 14, and 10. Something for kids of all ages! Register Today for a Summer of Fun! Dance, Sports, Robotics, Nature & More! Furry Friends Proudly serving Warrenton for 6 years Loving Care When You’re Not There Mid-Day Walks & Visits Pet Care Services Special Needs Kelly Parrish - Owner BONDED • INSURED • LICENSED www.furryfriendsva.com 540-272-9546 2013 • Issue 2 Piedmont Family Magazine 23