As I said last time, teaching children manners takes time and energy and having been a working mother myself, I know how hard it is when you are dog tired after work to get the balance between discipline and affection right.

From my experience of my own children and grandchildren, nephews and nieces, as well as working with young people at The Public Image Finishing School, I believe discipline needs to be fair and constant. It is no good being quite strict one day if you are not going to call for the same standards the next. With some children just telling them is not enough. For instance, a number get really involved in what they are watching or doing, so if your child is thoroughly glued to the TV or Play Station they simply won't hear you! In this case there is no point shouting for them to come and eat their meal until you are hoarse - you have to go and switch the TV off, take the child firmly by the hand and lead them to the table. The same approach is needed if they won't stop doing something antisocial. If, after asking them to stop three times they are still taking no notice, go up and explain why what they are doing is not acceptable. I usually kneel down so that we can have eye contact on their level. If they have been told before and there is a consequence - sending them to their bedroom or the Naughty Step for example, or not allowing them to watch TV or have a yummy biscuit - make sure you do it. Nothing undermines your authority more that to keep warning children and then taking no action. Some children have problems staying in bed. If they constantly keep coming down stairs, you have to take them back every time, rather than just telling them. When you get them into bed there should be no more stories, no conversations, it is best just to repeat the mantra ‛It's time for bed'. You can say that you will discuss anything in the morning, but now it ‛It's time for bed'. This does not work over night, but in the end the child realises that they will not get extra time and attention and that you really do mean what you say.

Making manners fun is really important. Recent research has found that if children do not hear and learn Nursery Rhymes when they are very young, their language and reading development often develops more slowly. That is why we created The Good Manners Bears with rhymes that are easy to remember. I must say my four year old granddaughter quickly learned The Please Bear rhyme ‛Please is a magic word, make certain it is always heard' and now we only have to ask for the magic word to remind her to say please!

As I say, it is only a start - but starting with the little things is crucial and it does pay dividends in the end. Please do e-mail me if you have any queries or questions - I would love to hear from you.