3 Highly Effective Ways to Teach Kids Respect

What is Respect? As parents, you need to realize that the word “respect” is more than behavior. The feeling of admiration towards someone for who they are or something they have accomplished; also, the inner feeling about a person displayed through kind words and actions regularly is what is called respect.

Respect is not the same as good manners, although the display of good manners is a sign of respect.

1. Model Proper Behavior

Did you know parents play a significant part in shaping their children’s behavior? “The children will act as parents do.” They will observe, absorb, and memorize parent behavior. Thus, be mindful of everything you do. “Parents need to understand and actualize that they are teaching their children by what they do and how they treat their parents.” Says Amy Goyer, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) family expert, Specialist in inter-generational relationships for over 25 years.

2. Praise a Respectful Attitude

Compliment your child for every small behavioral change. Motivate your child to behave better by using positive reinforcement like; “Good job,” “proud of you,” “well done.” By using praise, you help the child learn which behavior is appropriate. Parents should spend more time teaching Love than Rules. Research shows that children taught well the connection between love and discipline are likely to accept the consequences easily, unlike those brought up knowing “do it because you say so.”

3. Set Limitations

Creating and enforcing reasonable limitations for your child as they grow is a loving and respectful to do. For example, you promised your child if he was among the top 3 in his end-term exam, he will receive a toy worth $10. After the end of term exam, he comes out position 2, meaning your gift deal will push through. Over the weekend, you head out to the supermarket to buy a toy of his choice. In the supermarket, when walking through the shelves to the toy sections, he starts crying and throwing tantrums over all types of snacks. You talk to him that’s being disrespectful towards you and other people in the store. Either he behaves or goes back home without the toy! He looks at you, goes ahead, screaming the whole place. So, you pick him up, walk out the door. Neither the toy nor snacks did he get.

Next time after such an experience, your child will behave and respect every deal you make.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have learned what respect is, the relationship between respect and good manners. How parents play a significant part in shaping the behavior of their children. The importance of praising a respectful attitude. The importance of setting limitations for your children. It would be best if you took action to ensure your children grow up well mannered.