Suzanne's Spotlight on Manners

All the excitement around the new movie The Hunger Games piqued my interest and I saw the movie this week. I had only finished the book the day before so it wasn’t as if I had been anticipating the release of the movie. I was just caught up in the latest talk among friends and their children. I wasn’t disappointed, I thought it was a great movie. And, I was really interested (and surprised) to see the reference to “manners” on more than one occasion in the movie. Effie, the main character’s sponsor, was responsible for preparing Katniss (the main character) for the “Games” and was heard and seen telling the “tributes” to mind their manners and play well with others. I won’t give away any spoilers, but I will say that I was pleased to see that good etiquette was emphasized in this pop culture movie. Manners never go out of style. Even in the movies.

Did your children remember to bring their manners to the Thanksgiving dinner table? If they need a little extra “polish” before the next family gathering, it might be a good idea to sign them up for an etiquette class where they’ll hone their manners and learn new skills to make you proud at the table and beyond!

The next Mimi’s Manners class will be held Thursday, December 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota from 6 – 8 p.m. in the restaurant’s private dining room. Children ages 6 – 12 are invited to attend the two-hour class where they’ll learn their “Ps and Qs” of dining, handshakes & introductions and other important skills in manners. The cost of the class is $80 per child and includes a delicious three-course meal prepared by the Ritz-Carlton Chef.  Children will receive a workbook, certificate of completion and with a set of good manners to help them be the best-behaved kids at any holiday function. For more information and reservations, please call 941-309-2008 or send me message at suzanne@suzannewillis.com.

One of the parents interviewed by a journalist before a recent Mimi’s Manners class said that she was concerned that proper etiquette skills were becoming extinct, especially among children. That was why she had signed up her three children for my class. (View the complete story from the Florida Times Union here.)

I created Mimi’s Manners more than ten years ago to help children learn important manners and basic communication skills that I believe are imperative for their future success, both personally and professionally.  I don’t want manners to become extinct and it’s my goal to share Mimi’s Manners with as many children as possible.

If you have ideas about skills that children should learn or ways that I can help share manners with more children, please let me know. Together, we’ll be able to reach those who need the training and we’ll keep manners alive!

Flowers? Candy? Breakfast in bed? These are all great ideas, but have you ever thought about giving the gift of manners for kids this Mother’s Day?

I know plenty of mothers (and grandmothers) who would love for their kids to learn (and continue to practice) good manners.

I teach classes where children will learn the basics of good manners, handshakes, introductions, etc and then move through a three-course meal where they learn how to properly enjoy a meal without making a mess. The two-hour class provides children the opportunity to learn new skills while practicing their manners in a fun-filled environment. I’ve always believed Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote: “Manners are the happy way of doing things.” I make sure the kids have a good time in the class while instilling the importance of good manners in school, at home, and in their future: careers, dating/marriage.

I think all moms would agree:  Kids who have manners make all moms happier. What better gift could mom want this Mother’s Day?

For more information about classes, please call 239-287-7070.