Being a good role model for your children
Parents have no idea how much influence they have over their children. From the time we are born, we start learning things from the people we are around the most, which normally happen to be our parents. Being a role model may be a bit intimidating, but it is important to recognize this as your role as a parent. Think back to when your children were just learning the copy-cat game and they started repeating everything you would say and do. Now that you have older children and teenagers, you need to realize that your children still copy the way you do things, it is just in a different way now.
No matter what age we are, we study the words and actions of those around us. Children do this more so than others because they are trying to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable. Children study everything about you from the way you perform day-to-day activities to your expressions and your tone of voice. Keep this in mind the next time you become a little frustrated with your child.
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A parent must teach their children the importance of respecting others. If you want your children to say "please" and "thank-you", you need to be saying these words as well. If you have children that like to tease and brag, you need to sit down with them and talk about their behavior. Simply explain to them that other people will not want to be around them because they hurt their feelings. Set a good example of how to be a friend by being nice to your neighbors and your friends. Make sure your children are able to see the way you interact with others so they will learn how to do the same with others.
Far too often parents stop parenting their children because they are tired from working all day and they just want some alone time to relax. You and your spouse need to be mindful of such behavior because children need structure, rules, and discipline. Without it, they will run wild and become terrors to their parents. Do not stop parenting your children just because they are getting older. Take a few minutes to relax for a moment after work and then focus on the needs of your children. Good parenting is all about being selfless.
Children want to please their parents and many children will start to act out with temper tantrums and violent behavior if they do not feel loved. To combat this, make sure you show each of your children how much you love them. Give them attention daily and make sure you praise their good behavior. Try not to give a big reaction to their negative behavior like temper tantrums (which can happen clear into teenage and adult years). If your child is prone to temper tantrums as a teen, you need to seek the advice of a medical professional. They may have a chemical imbalance which causes them to overreact to some situations.
To be a good role model for your children, you need to practice honesty. If your children ask you hard and shocking questions, provide them with honest answers. You don't always need to sugar-coat every answer you give them. Just make sure you put it into terms that they can understand.
Make it a goal to give-up some of your bad habits like smoking or slothfulness. If you need to drop a few pounds, let your children see you workout. They need to see that not everything in life comes easily and that hard work will help them get over physical, mental, and emotional problems. Let your children see you use your time wisely so they will manage their time properly.
