I’m a teenager; I can just keep it real when starting a conversation, right? Well you can, but you might not get very far. Staying relevant to your surroundings and being genuine is a great approach when thinking of conversation starters, however you might find that some topics that are authentic are also highly inappropriate and can also be conversation stoppers. Understanding how to be tactful with your conversation starters can save you (and the other party) from embarrassing moments and allow a conversation to flow.

Here are 5 conversation starters and stoppers for you to consider:  

The importance of writing a thank-you note cannot be overemphasized. As parents, you have a great responsibility for getting your child in the habit of writing thank-you notes. Yet, very few children will actually want to write a thank-you note. It is an innate response that after a child receives a fun birthday gift, he or she would much rather play with it instead of sitting at the table and trying to come up with something to write down.

But it is so important!!!

Writing thank-you notes shows that your child has good manners. It also displays that they are respectful of the other person and grateful, which are great quality characteristics in a human being. Learning proper thank-you note writing techniques will serve your child very well in their future. Personally, I am so happy that my mother took the time to make me write thank-you notes (which was quite the struggle). It has served me very well as I have had many events where I found it necessary to write a thank-you note.

There are fewer things that are cuter than barbeque sauce smeared across a toddlers face. However, when your 11-year-old burps the alphabet at the dinner table in front of your new neighbors, it is not so cute.

Good table manners are very important as they ultimately show respect for others. So where should you start in the non-alphabet burping table manners training? The following lists 5 essential table manners that every child should know: