Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Some of your kids' behaviors are just a reflection of what they see in you so beware!
Key Points:
- Some behaviors require the parent to change their attitude and way of doing things in order for the child to learn better habits.
- If your child has a habit of interrupting, it is important to practice waiting their turn and being patient. Before you make a phone call, let them know you’ll be unavailable for a specific amount of time. Telling them not to interrupt in the moment is not helpful.
- It is important to teach your child to be polite, and say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ at a young age. They will typically follow your example in this area. Be sure to model the use of these words, as well as polite greetings, and anything else you want your child to adopt. It is never to late to start this habit. Politeness starts in the home, so be sure to reinforce it in your day to day routine.
- Children often repeat what they hear at home, which can be embarrassing for you. Young children don’t always understand the concept of not sharing certain information or repeating private conversations. If you’re going to talk about things you don’t want repeated in front of your children, be sure they understand the concept that some conversations stay at home.
- Parents that are fearful and try to protect their children from too many situations often create children with separation anxiety and clinginess. Let your children be children! It’s okay for them to discover the world around them, within reason.
Quote This:
Before we can teach our children, we must understand and live the principles ourselves. It is vital that the child learn from our example that what we say and what we live are the same. – Dwan J. Young
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share your most embarrassing parenting moment. How did you handle it?
- How do you feel your children do with the situations mentioned above? Is there one they struggle with more than others?
- How many of your children’s poor habits do you feel are due to your example? What changes can you make to be a better example to your kids?
- What habits did you learn more from your parent’s examples than from their words? What positive habits of yours have your children picked up from you?
- Is there someone in your life who would make a good mentor in regard to parenting? What do you like about their parenting style?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
