Teaching kids is tough. No doubt about it
Take manners, for example. They’re the first thing people notice about your kid, and by extension, you. Growing up in an Asian household, manners weren’t optional—they were the law. My parents didn’t just tell me to say “thank you” or “please,” they expected it, like breathing. And now that I’m a dad of two, I’m carrying on that tradition… or trying to.
Here’s the problem: reminding kids to say “please” and “thank you” over and over (and over) gets old fast. It’s like being stuck in a never-ending game of “What do you say?” And let me tell you, it’s not fun.
Storytime to the Rescue
One day, I hit a wall. My four-year-old asked me for a story—just a lazy Sunday thing—and I thought, why not use this as an opportunity? I made up a story on the spot about a dog who only got its favorite snacks by saying “please” and made friends by saying “thank you.”
I threw in some drama, and a few silly voices, and bam, we had ourselves a 10-minute epic. It worked. My kid spent the rest of the day saying “please” and “thank you” like it was second nature. No reminders, no nagging. It felt like I’d unlocked a cheat code.
Music: The Ultimate Hack
Not a storyteller? No big deal. Music works just as well, maybe even better. Kids love songs. They’ll latch onto a catchy tune faster than you can say “Baby Shark.” I found this song by Snoop Dogg. It’s not your average nursery rhyme, and that’s what makes it stick.
So, whether you’re making up your own goofy little jingles or finding something online, music can be your best friend in teaching manners.
Beyond Manners
You might be thinking, “Okay, great, but does this work for other stuff?” The answer is yes. Potty training, for example. A friend shared that his three-year-old wasn’t interested in ditching diapers, he then told his son a story about how using the potty made trees happy (because no more diapers in landfills). Boom. It clicked, and the kid never looked back.
Or take safety. Teaching kids not to run into the street can feel like shouting into the void. But turn it into a story about a superhero who only crosses at crosswalks or a friendly monster who stays on the sidewalk, and suddenly they’re paying attention. Kids get into it because it’s fun, and when they’re engaged, they remember.
Repeat
Here’s the thing: kids’ attention spans are pretty short. What works today might not work tomorrow. The trick is to keep things fresh. Write down your stories or songs so you can bring them back later, or come up with new ones to fit the moment. Yes, it’s a bit of work, but the payoff is worth it.
Modeling polite behavior is just as important. Kids learn so much by watching what we do. When my partner and I needed something from each other, we made a point to say “please” and “thank you” out loud, even for small requests. We also thanked our toddlers whenever they helped, showing them how good it feels to be appreciated
Maybe you’ll still feel like a broken record sometimes. That’s just parenting. But over time, these lessons stick, and one day you’ll catch your kid saying “thank you” or stopping at the sidewalk without you having to say a word. And hell yeah, that feels amazing.