wow - reading this post makes me think that kids attending these classes will end up being far more socially confidant than the parents posting here. All of the outrage feels so very high school wannabe.......sorry - my kids don't attend but I would never hold a grudge against those who do.....

I went to dancing school when I was a child. It sounds similar to Mrs. Simpson's. I liked it, but I can't see it did me any good other than a bi-weekly outing and a chance to wear my party dresses. I think it's an anachronism, a holdover from my grandmother's day. I imagine only private school kids get invited? I was invited to dancing school because we belonged to a certain country club. No others need apply. Mrs. Simpson's promotes values that should have died long ago. I'd rip up the invitation if my child received one. My kids learn manners at home.

I don't know anything about this first hand, so this comment probably isn't worth much, but it seems to me that Mrs Simpson must be running the biggest scam in town.

Imagine convincing so many parents that some class that one dreams up is the "right" thing to do, that you are able to build an entire studio to house it (which I believe she has done.)

The more I think about this, the more I think I've missed my calling. How hard could it be to put this together? I tell my kids to "be nice" all the time! Anyone want to pay me some big bucks to tell yours?

Anonymous wrote:Um, is there some reason it's impossible to teach your children good manners at home? So, you want them to learn how to behave at grown-up dinner parties and so? Well, have some grown-up dinner parties and let them participate. The little darlings will figure it out. And if they never do figure out the "appropriate" etiquette for a waltz, I can't imagine this will blight their lives. I never did any of this stuff-- come from a family of working class socialists and my grandparents would have rolloed over in their graves. But I went on to private school, Ivy league college, post-graduate work at Oxbridge, and a rather successful life. And have never for one single instant felt blighted by having missed out on cotillion, debutante balls, and so on.

Through Amazon - The Kids Good Manners DVD

Why pay Mrs. Simpson when you can invest in a program that's convenient and easy? $11.49, 4.5 stars!

Fun for the whole family!

description:

The Kids Good Manners DVD was released in March, 2007 and is an interactive, entertaining and educational DVD that teaches important lifetime lessons while reinforcing positive role models and values taught by parents, grandparents and teachers. The Kids Good Manners DVD has been extraordinarily well received and has done incredibly well with diverse focus groups, school districts, day care centers and with parents and grandparents. Children in the DVD are taught proper manners by being presented with a series of social situations. Contestants in the DVD, and children viewing the DVD, are given options for proper behavior in a variety of social situations and awarded points for the correct answer in a game show format.

-----Come on, people! In all seriousness, how can you subject your children to such antiquated practices that perpetuate racism? Jane Austen is rolling around in her grave as I type.

Anonymous wrote:You know, it seems to come as a big shock to some people on this board that there are things in the DC area that are exclusive. Meaning schools, clubs, playgroups, classes etc. That's just how the world is. It's not "rude" to be invitation only, unless there's something unsavory about the way that people are exlcuded (such as by race or religion). I guess in a perfect world, everything would be open to everyone, but we don't live in that world. There will always be groups or events which are open to a limited few based on a number of factors, money being only one. But I don't know what's "rude" or "disgusting" about this. And I say this as someone who has never joined a club or one of these groups (though I've been invited).

Why subject children to something that is apparently [/i]arbitrarily[i] exclusive? Yes, exclusivity exists, and can be dealt with on a rational basis with something like math clubs that you have to test into, etc. But a finishing school? Just seems weird to me.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with poster re. Af Am parents not wanting their kids to be a part of an elitist 'club'. FYI, PP, I have two Af Am kids, and both were 'invited', along with members of their private school class, to attend. WE DECLINED, with no remorse or regret. By the way, you must uphold and agree with segregation if you allow your child to attend, and admit that's the reason. I 'hear' pride in your voice when you say "Af Am kids are not invited'. I am ashamed and fearful of parents like you, as you teach your kids your non-values, and they in turn sit next to my child in a classroom. So sad.

Another AA family here who declined. I tore up the invitation after reading it.

Um, is there some reason it's impossible to teach your children good manners at home? So, you want them to learn how to behave at grown-up dinner parties and so? Well, have some grown-up dinner parties and let them participate. The little darlings will figure it out. And if they never do figure out the "appropriate" etiquette for a waltz, I can't imagine this will blight their lives. I never did any of this stuff-- come from a family of working class socialists and my grandparents would have rolloed over in their graves. But I went on to private school, Ivy league college, post-graduate work at Oxbridge, and a rather successful life. And have never for one single instant felt blighted by having missed out on cotillion, debutante balls, and so on.

My daughter goes to Mrs.Simpson.. it is a lovely place of formal dance though... there is a tad bit of cattyness between them sadly. Grades 6 and up are difficult because our girls are getting interested in the boys. BITCHES!!!

I actually attend these classes. They are a great way to meet kids outside of your school and get farmiliar with a social setting where you dont know as many people. I really enjoy it beacuse you can talk to people are get to know people. We learn to dance, but we have fun at the same time. The ocasionally have themed parties that are expecailly fun to attend. The classes start in 3rd or 4th grade and go for girls up to debutant ball. You can quit at anytime. I really enjoy these dances.

I would hardly consider it a social club unless an hour and a half once a month qualifies. At upwards of 200 kids per class (most drop out after a few years, but that's their choice), I wouldn't consider that terribly exclusive either. The parents have no role except to drop off and pick up their kids outside the ballroom except the handful that help chaperone each month. We're Black, Jewish, not etiquette alums, and were "invited." I made my son do it for 2 years (they have a lot of trouble keeping boys in it) and am not sorry- saying that as a Black AND Jewish family. It's not a bad thing to have an awkward boy learn how to look a girl in the eye, how to wear a jacket and time, and how to shake hands and introduce himself. Seriously, that's about all they do. Call me an optimist, but over time it will likely diversify more. There's nothing to prevent Black families from recommending others, etc., we just know most folks will think it's kind of silly. Girls, for their part, love to get dressed up. Why not let them play dress-up once a month?

If you are invited to Mrs. Simpson's you are being invited to an private elitist social club. Exclusion based upon race, financial standing, political views, religion, beauty, how you dress, all can apply. Private clubs are known for doing just that. If they don't like you for what ever reason, they will exclude you. We'll be trying out Mrs. Simpson's for our children. We do try to bring up our children as well behaved as possible and provide them the the appropriate tools in life. We've done CC as well and did enjoy it, however we did notice some girls dressed inappropriately for their age. This is just another lesson in life for our children to experience. You know we do it for the kids.

I know a private school jewish girl who was invited to Mrs. Simpson's last year. She is a tomboy and did not want to go so her mother declined. Her mother (also Jewish) was aware of the anitisemetic and racist past and was glad her daughter did not want to do it.

15:58 poster here. We don't go to Mrs. Simpson's!!!! My daughter goes to Capital Cotillion!!! (I'm sorry, I used the initial.) OMG, there was no pride in my voice. I was absolutely not agreeing with the segregated past. I grew up in DC and I remember the days when NO African-American or Jewish or Catholic kids were invited. My daughter attends a private school and i can tell you that NONE of the Jewish kids in the class were invited to Mrs. Simpson's and only one of the Afircan-Americans was invited. This is why I believe they are still hanging on to vestiges of their segregated past.

Please go back and read my post. I was saying the opposite of what you chastised me for and i am really stung that you are accusing me of something that is absolutely not true.

I agree with poster re. Af Am parents not wanting their kids to be a part of an elitist 'club'. FYI, PP, I have two Af Am kids, and both were 'invited', along with members of their private school class, to attend. WE DECLINED, with no remorse or regret. By the way, you must uphold and agree with segregation if you allow your child to attend, and admit that's the reason. I 'hear' pride in your voice when you say "Af Am kids are not invited'. I am ashamed and fearful of parents like you, as you teach your kids your non-values, and they in turn sit next to my child in a classroom. So sad.

Wowza . . . you aren't saying white kids are all poorly mannered, are you? I teach manners at home as well, but my daughter goes to CC because she enjoys the social aspect. Okey-dokey with me. You don't see many Afircan-American kids at Mrs. Simpson's because they aren't invited. They have that segregated past and all.