7 Parenting Tips to Raise Respectful Children (and Respectful People)

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding roles a person could ever take. However, before it becomes a fulfillment, it’s first and foremost very challenging! Emphasis on the word “very” because parenting surely is a back-breaking responsibility, literally and figuratively.

Seriously, there are loads of worries that every parent bears when it comes to parenting because how you do it will greatly and oftentimes fully be reflected by your own kids’ personalities and principles sooner or later. As parents, your goal is to give birth and raise your children to the best of your ability, aiming that they grow up and old as good children and eventually, as good people in general.

Needless to say, an inevitable value that every parent teaches and instills in their offspring is respect. It is among the first few morals that moms and dads introduce to their kiddos. Actually, this is automatic, like you don’t really say the word “respect” to them; instead, you exhibit it to them. They learn how to give it to others, especially to elders, when you make it an integral part of your own family’s lifestyle. What’s more, paying high regard is not limited to elders as its recipients. Even those younger deserve respect.

When a child learns the immense importance of respect from a young age, he/she will carry that as he grows up, wherever he goes and whoever he encounters. This proves how huge and heavy the duties of parenting are because of course, they are the ones shaping the people of the universe!

Are you a parent? A soon-to-be parent? Maybe a grandma or grandpa? Or a guardian of lovely tiny tots? This list is for you! If not, it’s probably for your friend who’s a mom or a dad. Well, alright! Take time to read and reflect on these 7 parenting tips to raise respectful children (and respectful people)! There’s no way you’re learning nothing, so read on.

1 – Speak Kindly and Listen Attentively to them.

mom and daughter

Communication is fundamental in the family. It should be healthy, consistent and cherished by every member. The way you foster having pleasant conversations and solid connections within the family will be conveyed by how you yourself communicate with your children.

Remember, communication is a two-way system. One listens while the other speaks, and they take turns. To bolster wholesome discussions and ways of communication, speaking and listening are important.

Speak kindly to your kids. When you need them to do something as you request or to correct something from their actions, tell them nicely. Sometimes, even when you’re mad, control your emotions, and speak considerately, especially when your kids are still very young. Although the latter is quite hard for most parents when the lassies are naughty and troublemakers, or when they commit childish mistakes, parents should remember to use the right speech and the proper way of speaking to them. Make sure you don’t degrade or bad-mouth them even when you’re getting angry at them at times.

On the other side of the coin, listen attentively when your children are speaking. This is how you teach them respect when it’s other people’s turn to say something. It includes eye contact, ears paying attention and a mind present at the moment, meaning you really are showing interest and respect towards the speaker.

When you develop respectful communication within your children, they will bring it everywhere — to school, church, work, streets, communities and of course, to every part of your home!

2 – Teach courteous words and manners.

dad and son

This is a subtopic of the first tip, but it’s here to be emphasized. Teach courteous words and manners to your kids.

Do not tolerate profane words. Do not use them as well. Regardless of the age of who speaks them, these languages are always unbecoming. When you meet people who have curse words flowing out of their mouths like they’re air to them, the truth is you get a lasting bad impression of who they are. As you know, the first impression lasts until proven otherwise. And as loving parents who want to raise refined ladies and gentlemen in the future, you never want your children to radiate such an unseemly impression and way of speech in general. All these will affect their identities and relationships in the long term.

It would be hard and painful to hear them using bad words as they grow up, even more so when they use them on you, so make sure that you inform them about the inappropriateness of those ill words. With your parenting instructions, your kids will hate and refuse to speak profanity even when there are influences coming from friends or from society.

3 – Let them know or experience the consequences of disrespect.

parenting - discipline

One of the common misconceptions by a lot of parents when it comes to parenting is that they should always let their children be favored, never hurt and never displeased. Oh well, this is probably a major reason why some parent-child relationships get ruined when the children grow up; that’s because they have been spoiled or have not been taught how to respect their parents first and foremost since they have always been the ones favored.

Parents, it’s alright to correct your children, especially when they exhibit bad attitudes and behavior. They should know restrictions and the repercussions of violating them. Discipline your children lovingly. That’s good parenting.

Let them know and/or experience the consequences of disrespect. Of course, you will never allow them to be in danger as you do this. Teach them the value of rules and regulations, including the out-turns to them or to other people when they disobey. In that way, you’re teaching them natural respect at home and outside home. If you disregard this, you will definitely suffer as parents.

4 – Teach them to handle negative emotions.

parenting - emotions

Everyone experiences negative emotions, but what makes a huge difference is how you manage them. As parents, teach your children to handle negative emotions when they experience them.

When you’re sad, angry or disappointed, you’re in an emotional state where you cannot completely speak and act suitably as you always do. There are things that you say or do out of those negative feelings. Sometimes, they end up regretful for you when you get back to your senses and realize them when these inhospitable moods subside.

Teach kids how to control their emotions, so that even when they are gloomy, mad or frustrated at themselves, at other people or situations, they won’t forget respect, and they won’t do anything they will regret later on.

5 – Make them aware of other cultures.

parenting - cultures

The world is composed of countless cultures coming from numerous nations, races and roots! Make your kids aware of these, so they will learn and treasure respecting them regardless of how different they are from your own culture. In that way, they will not be discriminatory people and will not condone discrimination. They won’t belittle other people’s cultures and won’t make fun of them.

6 – Appreciate even their littlest achievements and help.

parenting - family

Recognition does a lot in enhancing one’s personality. Appreciate even your kids’ littlest achievements and help! This is how you teach them gratitude, which is one of the many elements of respect.

When you make them feel glad and heart-warmed because of your appreciation towards them, they will realize that they should also be thankful and appreciative towards other people and other people’s efforts. It doesn’t only motivate them to keep up the good work but it also establishes respect within them.

7 – Bring them closest to God.

parenting - prayer

The highest reverence any man could give, it must be given to God, the Creator and Savior of mankind. Bring your children closest to God. Let their faiths and relationships with the Almighty Father be firmly founded and sustained. When they honor and respect the Lord God whom humans’ naked eyes cannot see, they will respect the people around them whom they can see.

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PARENTING: RESPECT STARTS AT HOME.

Good parents are the most powerful humans ever. They are the bravest too! It’s never easy to conceive a child and give birth to babies; mothers know! It’s never simple to work hard and juggle different jobs to provide for the family; fathers and working mommies can relate! Lastly, it’s never a joke to rear children to be good members of the family and decent citizens of the nation.

Respect is earned, not given, but for parents, you must see to it that your children know how to show and give respect to people and to situations as well. This means that it doesn’t matter where they are, they don’t put down their good manners. Whoever they are with, they don’t bring down people regardless of age, sex, race and backgrounds. Whatever time of day it is, they don’t forget courtesy. And whatever situation they may be in, even in bad times, they don’t disrespect anyone, including themselves.

Parents have the most essential part in nurturing respectful people of the society, so bear in mind at all times that it’s your assignment to foster respectful kids in the first place. The primary key is to be the right example. There’s peace, understanding and adaptability when there’s respect. It starts at home. It always does, so make sure it starts well in yours.