Five effective ways to teach your kids respect

Before we unravel this important value, you need to factor in your child’s age and comprehension. There is a very a high likelihood that they will not understand what respect is.

You may have to break down what the word respect means in simple words they can relate to and what it means to you and others.

And while you’re at it, you cannot teach kids respect when you are acting disrespectfully around them, your partner and those you interact with.

Your children are always watching what you do more than what you say. Soon, they will start considering imitating your actions.

Let them know that respect is a two-way road with consequences ahead. Maybe you can drop in the golden rule of do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Those simple and easy to understand words will lay the right foundation for you to build on.

We look at more ways you can instill this positive trait.

i.Show with actions

Like I mentioned, your child is like a sponge who soaks up what you do despite what you’re trying to teach them. You must be aware of your own behaviour and how you treat others.

Don’t rush into punishing your child for doing wrong without first taking the time to analyze their actions and behaviour.

Kids are growing up in a much different world and you need to be able to put yourself in their shoes to understand what they are going through. You must be empathetic, actively listen to them, be reliable and accountable in your life for you to model respect the appropriate way.

ii.Talk to them politely

You don’t expect them to be nice to others when you’re rude and mean to them and everyone else, now do you?

Respond and correct them in a polite manner. Do not shout, yell or put them down no matter the case. How you react to problems is the same way they will.

You also want to set a good example by using polite words such “please,” “thank you” and “sorry” often times and whenever necessary.

iii.Set realistic expectations

Your children are not angels and neither are they adults who fully understands right and wrong. As thus, try to have realistic expectations they can be able to meet.

Communicate to them ahead of time of what is expected and the consequences. The boundaries will help them know how to behave at home, in school or at a restaurant.

When they stick to the expectations ensure that you praise them and give rewards where due to enforce that positive behavior.

iv.Identify the root cause of disrespect and resolve it

When your kids are being rude or misbehaving it can trigger you into reacting. Don’t! Maintain your peace and try to figure out why your child is behaving that way.

There is a high likelihood you or someone else made them angry and their natural instinct could be to hurt you back. Remember that at this point they are not thinking straight and will use hurtful words to fight back.

Take a step back, help them calm down and talk it over. This will help them react better in future.

v.Say sorry when you wrong them

The occasional outburst can cause you to shout and say nasty things to your child in the heat of the moment. That doesn’t make you a bad mother, it makes you an angry mother which is quite normal and happens even to the best.

When you lose it, take some time to calm down then apologize to your child. Admit what your mistake was and make it right.

This will not undermine your authority as a parent but will help your child feel respected and it will go a long way in helping build trust between the two of you.