As a parent, you have to teach your child to be respectful. Every parent dreams that their kids grow to be respectful and kind to others. As a parent, you feel embarrassed when your child is disrespectful. However, it’s important to remember that they aren’t born with an inbuilt sense of respecting others.
Crying is how babies communicate their needs. However, as they get older, teaching them how to get these needs met respectfully is essential. It’s not uncommon to see kids being disrespectful to parents and friends. Unfortunately, it has become the norm for many teens. Remember, leading by example is the best way to teach your kid.
Ask questions
Listening to your kid is essential. It’s one way to teach them how to listen to others and you. As a parent, be inquisitive. It shows your child you’re concerned about their feelings and ideas. When young, kids are rapid and excited to share. However, as they get older, they’re less motivated to answer your questions.
Mostly, it’s because they feel judged or feel your lack of confidence in them. Creating an atmosphere where your kid feels loved and not judged is essential. Learn to stay calm and let your child share when they’re comfortable sharing. Giving them space is a great way to teach them how to respect other people’s privacy.
Ensure you show interest in your child’s questions. However, don’t be in a rush to grant their wish. If you respond fast to every request, they will be very disappointed when it doesn’t happen. Whenever possible, let your child figure out the answer for themselves.
It’s an excellent opportunity to teach them not to be overly dependent on their parents. Just because you’re not in a rush to respond doesn’t mean you don’t care. Answering a question with a question is a great way to help your child learn problem-solving.
Teaching Respect for Property
The best way to teach your kid to respect your home is by leading as an example. At a young age, it’s essential to teach your kids to be good stewards of family property. Although accidents occur at a young age, train your child to be responsible. Your kids should learn to respect and obey house rules whether you’re present or not.
House property such as paintings and electronics are expensive. Training your child to handle them with care is essential. Additionally, behaviors such as swinging on the door or jumping on the sofa can lead to accidents. A barn door is an excellent choice for your house and your kids’ room. It saves up space while ensuring your kids don’t swing on the doors.
Please and Thank You
The word please and thank you are compelling. Once a kid is old enough to own a few belongings, it’s time to learn property respect. Learning to borrow someone else’s property before using it is essential. Ensure your kids learn the responsibility that comes with using the words. Saying sorry out loud allows them to think about what they did wrong.
Responsibility
Teaching your kid to assume responsibility for their property is vital. Additionally, once they borrow an item, ensure they know that it’s their responsibility to keep it safe. In case of an accident, a mutual agreement should be reached. However, if the item was deliberately destroyed, there should be consequences. If the behavior is ignored, the kid will grow to be disrespectful to other people’s possessions.
Stay Calm
Whenever you think your child is disrespectful, don’t overreact. Look into why your child is acting the way they are instead of yelling at them. Don’t allow your emotions to take over. Being disrespected is not a reason for you to be rude. When your kid doesn’t meet your expectations, correct them with empathy and self-control. Once you identify the cause of their disrespect, teach them the appropriate problem-solving alternatives.
Social media influence has played a significant role in glorifying disrespect. Therefore, it vital to monitor the type of movies or games your kids play. Often parents are too busy at work and come back home tired.
When worn out from work, it’s tempting to let certain inappropriate behaviors slide. However, it’s essential to address this behavior when it happens. Although sometimes you might feel like the respect instilled isn’t reciprocated, don’t give up. Remember, training requires lots of persistence and patience.
