I was in the Berkshires this past weekend on a much needed getaway with my husband. We toured Edith Wharton's home who is best known for writing The Age of Innocence, House of Mirth, and Ethan Frome. She was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yale University, and full membership into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Touring the house was peaceful in spite of the ghost sitings reported from visitors over the years. Had I known about this I really don't think I would have agreed to the tour. However, after touring the bottom floor of the home, we made a stop by the bookstore. Of all the books, gadgets, and keepsakes in the room this little pink book caught my eye. Naturally I picked it up and felt it would be the perfect buy. I also bought the Little Pink Book of Elegance which is a great, quick read. Every lady should have one to use as a quick reference.

Set The Table With Dora!

I happened upon this cute printable project at Nick Jr.'s website and wanted to share. What a great way to teach children to set a table using one of their favorite TV characters. I can't wait to show my daughter.

Photos From the Past Can Haunt You

Miss USA 2010

Today’s youth can learn something from the recent events surrounding the newly crowned Miss USA, Rima Fakih. What you do during your youth, or in her case three years ago, can and will come back to bite you. Your family will support you, there are others who may be jealous of you and will do anything to see you fail. Most time our teens feel as if they can do whatever they desire because they’re young. That couldn’t be any further from the truth. Unlike our parent’s generation, Big Brother wasn’t always watching. Who was watching were our parents and neighbors who were always there to keep us in line. Today, children have computers, IPhones, Black Berry’s and other social networking devices in their bedrooms for use when no one is watching. Without proper supervision or communication these devices can and often do ruin lives.

Sexting is popular amongst teen girls where they take nude or semi nude photos of themselves and text them to their boyfriends. What was meant to be for his eyes only are then shared with his friend’s eyes and so on. Boys and girls are immature in their adolescent years. Many adults are immature in their adult years, but teen boys often share their experiences with their male friends to earn “cool” points. If you plan to run for political office, there are teams of people employed to search for dirt on candidates.

In my opinion I don’t think Miss USA will be dethroned for the stripper contest video/photos. Have you seen the photos of all of the contestants dressed as strippers during the week of the national pageant? These photos make the stripper contest look like a walk in the park. I’m bothered that Trump would allow a shoot like this to even happen. Doesn’t he realize, or care, that he just compromised the professional careers of all of the contestants by making them pose as strippers, hookers, call girls for a pageant? I wonder if any contestants refused to do the shoot? Or did all of them sell out and compromise their values for a rent free Manhattan apartment, lifetime supply of shoes, and a scholarship to New York Film Academy that’s not even prestigious?

I have worked with teen girls over the years in helping them to prepare for pageants, talent shows, helping them with their self esteem and so forth. When I started to create my etiquette program, I wanted to incorporate an internet workshop. One of the many courses offered will focus on the do’s and don’ts of the Internet. We will focus on the importance of creating descent email names (I can’t tell you how many inappropriate email addresses I have been given for teens), Face Book page content and posts, taking, emailing, and posting photos, how to write emails, how to speak with potential employers or adults over emails, etc.

My overall goal is to help teens get through the hardest years of their lives in tact. Being a teen is hard. Peer pressure is hard. Dealing with the pressures of drinking, drugs, sex, bullying, academics, sports, college preparation, dating, etc. is extremely hard. I’m glad I survived the teen years. Being an adult is hard but at least we have developed many of the necessary skills to cope with our pressures. I hope...

Register your child today for the TYDI Etiquette Program for Kids!

Showing Respect for Elders

This past weekend I was finally able to catch up on four episodes of NBC’s new show, “Parenthood.” I LOVE this show! I think I’m enjoying this show because it’s so real. It covers many aspects, if not all, of parenting. Aspects that I’m currently going through when it comes to play dates and wanting your child to be a bit more assertive when it comes to speaking his/her mind, and a few others I shall keep to myself.

However, there is one scene in Episode 105 titled “The Situation” where the entire Braverman family is sitting around the table having dinner. Steve, Haddie’s new boyfriend, calls Haddie’s grandmother by her first name “Camille,” as he compliments her on her home cooking. Back the truck up! Did he just address an elderly woman by her first name? This is a teenager people. There is no way this is happening I’m thinking. Not only that, he also calls Haddie’s mom by her first name, Kristina. What teenager in their right mind does this? I’m also assuming that neither of these women have given him permission to do so. I’m going to use this atrocity and turn it into a teaching moment.

Teenagers/children should NEVER call an adult by his/her first name unless given permission to do so. I am often referred to by many of the girls I once coached in pageantry/etiquette as “Miss Kim.” Now that many of them are adults and in their 20s I am perfectly fine with them calling me Kim, however they still call me Miss Kim. However, as a teen you should never call your friends parent by their first name unless given permission to do so, and then you should insist upon calling them Mr. or Mrs. Thomas. It’s simply a sign of respect. If a teen wants respect you have to give respect.

If you’re introducing your boyfriend/girlfriend to a parent for the first time, remember this in this order:

1. Introduce a younger person to an older person
   
2. Introduce a boy to a girl
   
3. Introduce a man to a woman
   
4. Introduce a young person to your parent
   Always include last names when making an introduction. No matter how comfortable you may feel with your boyfriend or girlfriend’s family, always address the adults by Mr./Mrs./Miss + last name.

Parenthood "The Situation"

Talk of Manners...at A Soccer Game?

Today was my daughter's very first soccer game. Aside from chasing my 21 month old son around and missing most of the game, it was an awesome experience for me as a new soccer mom.

While sitting still for 2 minutes on the sideline, I overheard two parents talking about the lack of manners in today's children. Manners are discussed in the most unexpected places! This yet proves that my services are truly needed. Help is on the way Valley Stream! Watch your mailboxes for information on TYDI's home etiquette program for kids "Where Charm's Cool!"

You've Been Chosen!

If you're reading this, chances are you were one of the select few Valley Stream students invited to partake in TYDI's Etiquette Program for Kids!! Congratulations!!!! We are truly excited to bring this program to you as we have helped children all around the nation TYDI up their act. We have a fun way of helping children present themselves in every situation so your mom/dad won't find themselves on pins and needles wondering what's going to come out of your mouth, be it food or the wrong words, at any given time.

Register today and don't forget to tell a friend! Don't wait!