In any civilized society, there's a code of conduct all must learn. It's a refinement process of complicated social skills that takes years to master; don't just hope your kids catch on.

While the protocol of today is definitely more casual than that in the past, if parents want their children to get by in "polite society," they have to be conscious of teaching etiquette in a deliberate, intentional way--without, of course, shoving manners instruction down their kids' throats.

So think about the manners that are important to you, and use the following advice to lead your kids down the road of proper etiquette.