Respect is given, when respect is given.
You reap what you sew. You get what you put in. All these clichés make perfect sense from a logical point of view, yes? But how many parents choose to belittle or even bully their children into obedience in an effort to establish dominance?
Have you ever rubbed something in, knowing it would "make the lesson" for them?
While our hearts are often in the right place when we choose to do this, (after all, we desire our children to listen to us, right? We're the voice of experience and wisdom! DON'T TOUCH THE STOVE!) the results of this "perfectly reasonable" rubbing it in can be a lot of repressed feelings and a need to prove that we make mistakes as well - which really comes to fruition when they start noticing we do!!
The truth of the matter is, despite our own character flaws, it is crucial that we respect our children at all times. Treat them as you would want to be treated. Try to understand, ask questions.
Yes, you can preach every now and then about why its a good idea to listen to you when you mentioned things like that stove being awful hot... but remember, they were curious, and you should actually encourage that curiosity.
On the flipside, what would your relationship be like with your child if it was their belief that you were always looking out for their best interests - and that you will always be respectful of them, and their desires, and that you are a source of love and understanding...?
Couldn't we all use a relationship like that?
You reap what you sew. You get what you put in. All these clichés make perfect sense from a logical point of view, yes? But how many parents choose to belittle or even bully their children into obedience in an effort to establish dominance?
Have you ever rubbed something in, knowing it would "make the lesson" for them?
While our hearts are often in the right place when we choose to do this, (after all, we desire our children to listen to us, right? We're the voice of experience and wisdom! DON'T TOUCH THE STOVE!) the results of this "perfectly reasonable" rubbing it in can be a lot of repressed feelings and a need to prove that we make mistakes as well - which really comes to fruition when they start noticing we do!!
The truth of the matter is, despite our own character flaws, it is crucial that we respect our children at all times. Treat them as you would want to be treated. Try to understand, ask questions.
Yes, you can preach every now and then about why its a good idea to listen to you when you mentioned things like that stove being awful hot... but remember, they were curious, and you should actually encourage that curiosity.
On the flipside, what would your relationship be like with your child if it was their belief that you were always looking out for their best interests - and that you will always be respectful of them, and their desires, and that you are a source of love and understanding...?
Couldn't we all use a relationship like that?
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