by Dawn Hawkins

Created on: March 25, 2009

It is important that children learn how to respect their parents. This can be a difficult task if you don't know where to start. It is sometimes important to take advice from those that have already been down the path you are just beginning. Children will only respect what they are made to respect. If you teach your child to run all over you, that is what you will get.

Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure that you children will learn to respect you:

Lead By Example

Children follow in their parents footsteps. It is always important to remember that. If they see you respecting your own parents, it will teach them to respect you in the same way. You don't have to stop with your own parents though. You can show respect to other people as well, including your children. This is the best way to ensure that your children will be respectful of all others, not just you.

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

If your children do something wrong and you tell them they can't play video games for a week, stick to it. Don't give in because they are begging you to do it. If you do not stick with the boundaries that you set up for your children, they will not know the boundaries. This will make them disrespectful of you when you attempt to enforce the rules.

Encourage Respectful Behavior

It doesn't hurt to let your children know when you appreciate their respecting you. If they don't know when they are being respectful, how will they know how to do it? Respect comes in many forms of action. When your children perform an action that is respectful, make a note of it to them. They are sure to repeat actions that they are praised for.

Expectations

You should verbally discuss the term respect and what it means to you. Let your children know that you expect them to be respectful to you and to others. Let them know that it is never alright to be disrespectful and be prepared to explain to them why it is a bad thing. The more your children understand the word and it's true meaning, the more prepared they are to know how to do it.

Teach Common Courtesy

Teaching your children the common courtesies of everyday life will help them be more respectful of others. No pushing or butting in line is a good place to start. When you teach your child not to hit or throw things, you are teaching them respect. Good manners is the beginning of learning how to respect those around you. It is a necessary tool for making it through life.

Respect goes both ways. It should never be assumed that it is only the child that should give respect. If you do not respect things about your children, they will surely not respect things about you. It is a give and take situation. Teaching your children this knowledge will give them a lifetime of good behavior. Remember that it follows them throughout the rest of their lives.

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