Being on all three sides of a guest list -- inviter, invited and uninvited -- can help children not only become more resilient, but also more conscientious and empathetic. It's up to parents to use parties as opportunities for chats about friendship, kindness, and etiquette.

While it's natural for parents to want to give their children everything, make sure that along with toys and praise, you give your children the regular reinforcement that makes thankfulness a part of who they are, not just something they do.

This year, instead of the usual resolutions, why not make gathering the family around the dining table -- working on manners and proper eating etiquette -- top of the list?

The English are truly great at bringing up resilient, well-mannered, brave, and kind children. Too many parents -- in our own country and across the Western world -- have lost sight of what we've always done right.

Ask any parent out there, and he or she will say the same thing: Of course I want to raise my kids to be polite and well-mannered. But what specific h...