Ask:
My son always used to be sweet in saying thank you's, hugs and kisses, and goodbyes. Now suddenly he won't say a word, looks at the floor, or walk the other way. Anyone else ever go through this?
Answer:
He could just be going through a shy stage..or maybe a not so confident stage. I think all six of mine have been through it. Is this to everyone ELSE, or include you and your dh? I read a while back that we really push our kids to loose their natural instincts on trust by forcing them to use manners, etc. It was an interesting article, and true in a lot of ways. I would gently remind him of things like "say thank you"...but the rest, well, that is sort of an individual choice on personal space..regardless of your age!
Answer:
I too went through this with all of mine. I would just look at my kids when they needed to say thank you and ask "what do you say?". If they didn't answer then I would say "Can you say thank you?" Most people know and understand. So far as saying good bye's, I never pushed that issue. I again would ask "Can youy tell -so and so- goodbye?", but ultimately, I left the decision to them. And I never forced the hugs and kisses issue with any of my kids. So long as I was getting my daily minimum of hugs and kisses we were fine.
Hang in there, sounds like you have reached another milestone of childhood. It won't last forever.