Demonstrate respect with six strategies
When it comes to teaching kids about respect, the idea isn’t to teach them at all. It’s to show them. When you demonstrate what respect looks like, you’ll go a long way toward helping your child become respectful.
To demonstrate respect:
- Be polite. Say please, thank you and excuse me when talking to your child. Knock before entering your child’s room.
- Be kind—especially when your child messes up. Everyone makes mistakes. Help your child learn from mishaps.
- Be compassionate. Try not to embarrass your child, and avoid telling jokes at your child’s expense.
- Be fair. Don’t pass judgment or punish your child before learning all the facts.
- Be dependable. If you tell your child you’ll do something, do it. And when you can’t do something, be up front about it.
- Be honest. “Little white lies” chip away at the respect your child feels—or doesn’t feel—for you. Kids are always watching what adults do.
Reprinted with permission from the April 2024 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2024 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.