Good Character and Respect

As we consider ways to teach children respect, it is important to understand that respect is not the same thing as obedience. Experts say that the best way to teach children respect is to be respectful toward them. Building respect for authority starts at home! *Make sure your children know that you love and respect them. *Explain that you have rules because you care. *Follow up and follow through. *Be CONSISTENT with consequences. Teach your child respect for school and teachers! DO: --Get to know your child's teachers. --Demonstrate respect for others by using a positive tone of voice, always returning teachers' calls, talking about the importance of an education, etc. --Monitor your child's school activities by making sure they are prepared for school, asking about what they are studying, reveiwing homework assignments, and praising effort and achievement! DON'T: --Don't take your child out of school for vacations, shopping excursions, or other non-medical reasons. It sends the message that school isn't important! --Don't belittle the school. Kids will pick up on your attitude. If you have concerns, work with the school to solve them. --Don't tell your child not to follow a school rule. --Don't take your child's word as gospel! When there's a problem, express support for school staff until you can collect all the facts. THE RESPECT KILLERS: 1. Don't focus on being your child's "pal." Children need parents who care enough about them to set limits and enforce them. Be your child's friend, but be their PARENT first! 2. Don't be your child's slave. Doing for children what they can do for themselves undermines their self-confidence and self-respect. 3. Don't be a nag. Repeating yourself tells your child that he or she can ignore you. Instead, ask your child if they understood what you said, and hold them responsible for knowing the next time! 4. Don't try to be perfect. Your child will respect you more and learn from you if you share with him some times when you were wrong and how you handled it! 5. Don't pamper children. Pampered children often times feel that it's their right to be served, and become angry with teachers and others that don't meet their demands. They fail to learn what is expected of them in life, instead of learning responsiblity! Copyright @1995, The Parent Institute

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