52 Modern Manners - Building Confidence in Teens (Episode #165)

Helping of Happiness

Where can we find more from Brooke:

Website: BrookeRomney.com

Instagram: @BrookeRomneyWrites

Get Your Copy of Brooke’s Book 52 Manners for Today’s Teens here!!!

Also grab Brooke’s other awesome book: I Like Me Anyway

Brooke is around teenagers quite a bit, with a bunch of teens of her own, and started noticing there were a lot of things you think the kids should just know. She found herself imparting her words of wisdom as often as possible with her kids and felt she was nagging them all the time.

She began to make a list of simple manners her kids and other teens should know about. As she discussed these with other moms and her Instagram following, she realized all families were struggling with these same issues. Kids spend so much time with heads down and headphones in, they are missing out on observing these social norms.

She decided to write a book, but felt it wouldn’t be read through if it was a chapter book.- especially by teens. She created a flip book with simple explanations for 52 manners.

Here are a couple of our family’s favorite manners:

“Introduce Yourself: If you find yourself with people you don’t know, introduce yourself. Yes, it feels awkward at first, but it gets easier with practice. If you’re not sure where to start, try, ‘I don’t think I have met you yet….’ This is a life skill you will use forever.”

It seems like a no brainer, right?? But as we have gone through these, my mind has been blown that my kids weren’t sure how to act in this situation.

Here’s another one:

“Find new friends. If your friends are often excluding you or making you feel bad, they are the wrong friends….At first you might feel alone, but there are people out there who will like you for you. These friends may not be as ‘cool’ or your first choice, but that’s okay. Spend time with those who treat you well and want you around.”

I feel like these lessons are just as useful for adults as they are for teens. I love how knowing these manners gives teenagers independence to live their best lives. I also love that this book empowers parents to teach more deliberately.

How cool would it be if all these kids from schools are all abiding by these manners?! It can be such a great way to improve our communities and our societies. Teachers are using these in their classrooms. How awesome is it when other adults notice your child is doing something kind and compliments them on it? I love the positivity you can foster as you catch the teens in your life being kind.