Posted by Lynne Kenney, PsyD on May 3, 2021 · 1 Comment
Most parents expect their children to respect them. What are you doing to model respect? Here are seven simple steps to living with respect in your relationships.
- Be a good listener – Give your child your undivided attention when they are speaking to you.
- Be fair – Consider your child’s viewpoint and experience before stating your opinion.
- Be honest – Tell the truth. Be accountable when you make a mistake.
- Be polite – Use the manners that you expect of your children.
- Be positive – Focus on the positive side of life. Your child deserves a role model that “lifts them up.” Compliment your children, observe what they do well and celebrate it.
- Be reliable – Keep your promises. Show your child that you mean what you say. Do as you say and say as you do. Children see the truth through a clearer lens than do adults.
- Be trustworthy – Keep your children’s heart-felt feelings and experiences private, show them that you can be a trusted adult who cares about their feelings and their self-esteem.
Showing your children that you respect them through your words and actions encourages your children to respect themselves, you and others.
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*This post reflects Dr Kenney’s “The Family Coach Method” used in practice for a number of years, and released for publication just this past September. The Family Coach Method is ‘rug-level,’ friendly and centered on the concept of families as a winning team – with dozens of age-appropriate sample conversations and problem solving scenarios to guide a family to the desired place of mutual respect, shared values and strengths. The goal is to help children to develop the life skills, judgment and independence that can help them navigate the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
Dr Kenney’s book is incredibly informative with lots of excellent suggestions and resources for parents to raise well-behaved, respectful and thoughtful children. We have gotten excellent results using her method in our home.