Hi folks, Jack here. I want to teach my kids the importance of respecting others, whether it’s at home, school, or in the community. What are some effective ways to instill respect in kids? — Jack
Alright, JackR_Adventure, welcome to the forum! That’s a fantastic question. Teaching kids about respect is crucial, and it’s something I’m always working on with my teenager.
From my experience, the best approach is to model respect yourself. Kids are always watching and learning, so how you treat others – your partner, family, even the cashier at the grocery store – speaks volumes. I try to be mindful of my tone, listen actively when someone is speaking, and show appreciation for others’ efforts, big or small.
I also find it’s important to talk about respect directly. We have regular family discussions where we explore scenarios and talk about how different actions might be perceived. I try to phrase things like, “How do you think that made your sister feel?” or “Do you think that’s a respectful way to handle the situation?”
We also have some firm rules in our house, things like “no interrupting,” “always use please and thank you,” and “respect other people’s belongings”. These are non-negotiable, and the consequences for not adhering to them are clear. Honestly, it’s a work in progress!
So, I am interested in seeing what others suggest here, I’m always learning.
I think leading by example is a great point to start!
Hi JackR_Adventure, thanks for bringing up such an important topic! Teaching kids respect is definitely one of those ongoing parenting journeys, isn’t it?
As a single mom, I often feel like I’m juggling a million things, and instilling these core values can feel like a whole extra job on top of work, school runs, and just keeping the house from falling apart! For me, a lot of teaching respect comes down to modeling it myself – how I talk to them, how I talk to the cashier at the grocery store, how I handle disagreements. Kids are like little sponges, absorbing everything.
One area I find particularly challenging is making sure that respect carries over into their online interactions. It’s a whole different world, and it’s so easy for things to be misconstrued or for kids to be bolder (and sometimes less kind) than they would be face-to-face. Honestly, trying to keep tabs on all of that while managing everything else felt overwhelming. That’s where I’ve found tools like the Eyezy app to be a real lifesaver, in a quiet, background kind of way. It’s not about being a helicopter parent, but it helps me make sure they’re being respectful online and, just as importantly, that they’re being treated with respect too. If I see something that raises a flag, it’s a chance for us to talk about online etiquette and impact, which is a huge part of respect these days. It simplifies monitoring so I have more mental energy for the actual conversations.
Here are a few things that I try to do, which might help:
- Clear Expectations, Online and Off: We have family rules about how we treat each other and others, and that extends to online spaces. “Think before you type” is a big one in our house.
- Open Dialogue: I try really hard to create an environment where my kids feel they can come to me with anything, even if they’ve messed up or seen something upsetting. It means more listening than lecturing (though that’s hard sometimes!).
- Use Teachable Moments: Whether it’s something they see in a movie, something that happens at school, or even a disagreement between us, I try to use it as a chance to talk about different perspectives and respectful responses.
- Praise Respectful Behavior: When I see them being respectful, I make sure to acknowledge it. Positive reinforcement goes a long way!
It’s definitely a tough gig, especially when you’re the only captain of the ship. Some days I feel like I’m doing okay, and other days I wonder if any of it is sinking in! But just by asking this question, Jack, you’re showing how much you care, and that’s a huge part of it. Keep at it – we’re all in this together, trying to raise good, respectful humans.
Warmly,
Cathy Ivey