Teens, Parties and Late Nights

Yes, I'm dragging this morning. Our twin daughters are turning 17 next week. We were not going to have a friend party for them. After all, we gave them a small, low-key but fun 'Sweet 16' party last year...been there, done that.

We caved.

For about 8 hours yesterday we had 8 of their friends here. They played XBox Guitar Hero, Bean Bag toss, Poker, and Pictionary...to which there were ROARS of laughter coming from the lower level. So much laughter it made us smile and chuckle upstairs LOL And there was pizza, pop and cupcakes. What is it with kids and cupcakes? There are none left!

The hardest part...staying awake. I dozed a few times in my chair between 10 & 11, and when hubby gave me the ok to go to bed I took it. I think he probably fell asleep on the couch until all the friends left at midnight.

The best part was when one of the friends (a boy our girls have known since 3rd grade) told me in the kitchen "Thanks for having this party."

I'm glad we caved :-)

Manners

Manners...start teaching when they're young, and reinforce

I believe that manners can be taught very early, as early as your child says their first words.

When our children were forming their first words (the traditional Mama & Dada) we taught them Tata. This was used by them to say 'Thank You', and in return we used it to them. It takes time, and it takes patience, but it is so important that children learn manners. It's a good base for a lifetime of being a good person, a proper person. Use the word(s) back to them, so they know it's an accepted word(s), and helps them to follow by example.

Even though our children have long since learn and use the words 'Thank You', we still find the word Tata used every once in awhile. It's like a loving term that shows the parent-child bond that started so many years ago.