Parents’ behavior shapes their children’s psyche forever.
Responsibility, empathy and caring are the cornerstones of interpersonal relationships.
They are the foundation of a happy life.
So parents’ behavior must reflect these qualities.
It’s the only way for a child to learn them.
1. Build a loving relationship with your child
If someone treats you with respect, you also treat others with respect.
According to the experts, anyone who wants to teach their children to be respectful should treat children with respect.
What’s more, respect strengthens the bond between parents and children.
It makes them feel loved and accepted.
How can you teach your child respect?
- Every child has psychological and emotional needs that must be met.
- Parents need to provide children with a stable, safe home (for example, by spending time with them).
- The child’s individuality must be respected (for example, parents of several children must make time for each one).
- Parents should take an interest in the child’s life (e.g. talk about the day).
- Parents should talk to their children about important things (e.g. feelings, thoughts and experiences).
- When a child does something, he or she deserves praise.
2. Set a moral example for your children
Parents’ ethical behavior is imitated by children.
Isn’t it said that children are like sponges, retaining everything they see and hear?
If parents are honest and upright, children will copy them.
What’s more, if they manage to resolve their conflicts peacefully, without letting their negative emotions get the better of them, that’s a good example for their children.
Given that parents are only human and don’t always act ethically, they need to explain to children the situations in which they let themselves get in over their heads.
How does a child’s moral behavior develop?
- Get involved with the child for charitable purposes.
- Parents should apologize if they make a mistake.
- Parents need to take time for themselves (e.g. walking, meditating, meeting friends). It’s clear that relaxed people can cope well with conflict or stress.
3. Make caring a priority.
It’s important that children understand that their happiness is important.
Don’t let them take second place!
What’s more, everyone is responsible for someone else’s happiness.
Parents need to teach their children basic principles like fairness and justice. They need to motivate them to stand up for these principles, even when it’s difficult or when friends behave differently.
To teach kindness and compassion, follow these tips:
- When parents formulate their wishes or recommendations, care must be taken. Experts advise, for example, choosing the phrase “The most important thing is for you to be friendly and happy” instead of “The most important thing is for you to be happy”.
- When parents ask the school about their child’s performance, they should also ask about his or her behavior.
- If a child wants to leave a club or is no longer friends with a classmate, parents should ask why. This is a good opportunity to teach the child that problems can be solved (instead of running away from them) and that there are certain obligations to be respected.
4. Give your children opportunities to show their gratitude
If you’re able to show gratitude, you become a generous person.
So it’s imperative that every parent teaches their child the best ways to show gratitude.
Scientists agree: expressing gratitude must be learned.
The more you do it, the better you become.
How can your children show gratitude?
- Children need to help their parents with household chores and raising younger children. Once the child has done his or her share of the work, parents should acknowledge it and say “thank you”. In this way, they’ve set a good example.
- If you observe an unfair action in everyday life or see unfair things in the news, you need to talk to the children. That way, they learn to tell the difference between right and wrong.
- Parents should encourage their children to thank relatives, friends and strangers who contribute to their lives. Whether it’s because they receive something or because someone listens attentively.
5. Teach your children to be helpful
By nature, children empathize with those closest to them.
According to experts, parents should motivate their children to empathize with strangers or new classmates.
They should learn that their actions affect society; helpfulness makes others more useful.
How can you help your child?
- When a new child enters your child’s life – for example, a new classmate – you should encourage your child to put himself in his shoes: “How would you feel if you’d just moved into a new neighborhood and no one wanted to play with you?”.
- Parents should explain to their children that they should support someone who is sad or hurt.
- Discussing the problems other people face is also helpful.
- Teaching them to listen sincerely and attentively to others is imperative. Listening to children is extremely important.
6. Teach your children to be positively involved in society
By nature, children need to get involved in their direct social group.
They want to help, socialize and influence others for the better.
Children want to do good and serve well.
How can you stimulate your child to behave in a beneficial way?
- Parents need to discuss ethical issues with their children.
- Together, parents and children can find an ethical solution to every problem.
- Parents can warn their children what to do if they catch someone stealing, cheating or lying, for example.
- Children must learn to defend themselves. If they suffer discrimination or injustice, parents need to give them the tools to stand up to their enemies.
7. Teach your children to manage their emotions
People need to learn from an early age that all emotions are acceptable and should be allowed and accepted.
Children need to know how to use their emotions constructively, not destructively.
How do you teach a child to control his or her feelings?
- It’s imperative that parents address the definitions of feelings, especially those of complicated emotions such as jealousy or anger.
- Above all, they should teach their children to question their feelings: “Why do you feel this way?”.
- Parents should practice the 3 steps to self-control with their children: 1. Stop 2. Take a deep breath. 3. Count to five. As soon as a problem arises, they can use this miracle tool.
- Parents and children can practice finding solutions together.
- Together, you can find the right solutions to avoid the flow of negative energies. In these discussions, everyone needs to feel understood.