19 Simple Rules Of Etiquette All Parents Should Follow

    Don't be that parent.

    Mike Spohr
    by Mike Spohr

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Make sure your kid always says "please" and "thank you."

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    It's common courtesy, plain and simple.

    2. Offer only encouragement at your kid's sporting events.

    3. Pick up after your kid at restaurants.

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    It's not a busboy's job to clean this big a mess, so be courteous by picking up the wreckage under the table, and consider leaving a larger tip since they'll have to work harder to prepare your table for the next guests.

    4. Take your kid outside when they start crying in a restaurant or theater.

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    This way they'll disrupt your fellow diners or viewers as little as possible.

    5. Give your kid peanut-free snacks when they'll be eating around other children.

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    There's plenty of time to enjoy things like peanut butter and jelly at home, but when in public (where exposure to peanut butter could be life and death for another child) it's more than just courteous to abstain.

    6. Ask other parents about their kids as much as you talk about your own.

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    It shows that you care about them and their kid.

    7. Don’t ask other parents overly personal questions.

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    Did you breast feed? How was your baby conceived? Do you plan to have more kids? These questions (and others like them) are deeply personal for many parents and not something they want to discuss casually.

    8. Stay calm if people make comments when your kid is acting up in public.

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    Getting angry and snapping back will only make the situation worse.

    9. Never assume everything will be paid for when your kid is invited to an event by a friend's family.

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    The friend's parents may intend to pay for everything, but it's best to touch base beforehand, thank them for inviting your kid, and ask what part of the excursion you can cover.

    10. Check in when your kid is at another person’s home.

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    It never hurts to send a quick text to make sure everything is going OK.

    11. Don't ask if you can bring your kids if an invitation says “adults only.”

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    This only puts the host in a bad spot where they have to either tell you "no" or agree to let kids attend a party they've already made clear they want to be adults only.

    12. Bite your tongue when people without kids complain about being busy or tired.

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    It's not a contest.

    13. Limit how much you talk about your kid with non-parents.

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    Your non-parent friends probably enjoy hearing a brief update about your kids, but would prefer to spend the majority of your time together discussing adult things.

    14. Always RSVP to birthday party invitations.

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    Hosts need to know how many people are coming so they can finalize details.

    15. Never send additional siblings to a birthday party only one of your kids was invited to.

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    Making the host have to accommodate a guest they hadn't planned on isn't fair.

    16. If your kid breaks something, replace it.

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    People will often say, "Don't worry about it," but that doesn't change the fact your kid ruined something of theirs.

    17. Keep sick kids home.

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    This not only will keep others from getting sick, but stop them from being traumatized too. I mean look at that girl... she's going to need therapy for sure.

    18. If your kid moves stuff around at a store, put it back.

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    Don't make extra work for people.

    19. Model the behavior you want to see in your kids.

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    Be a polite, courteous person when you're with your children, and they'll likely grow up to act the same way.

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