You know how they say, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” when your kids display certain behaviors that you used to do as a kid? Well, that statement is very true in most cases, and a lot of it has to do with what they see and hear.
Kids, at a very young age, begin to absorb information and behavior like a sponge. They copy everything they see you do, and repeat everything they hear you say. So, it’s very important that you’re mindful of that.
Every parent has a horror story of being out in public somewhere with their child, and their child said something terribly embarrassing. When situations like that happen, they’re often times hilarious, but you try not to laugh in front of your child because you don’t want them to think it’s okay to say. You can’t even get mad either, because whatever it was they said or did, it more than likely came from the parents.
Kids already have enough bad influences from television, the internet, and even other kids. They don’t need any more negative influences, especially from their parents. We’re going to look at some things you can do on a daily basis to be a positive influence on your kids.
Age Appropriate Clothing
For years, kids have always wanted to grow up before their time. It doesn’t help when your kids watch television and see kids their age wearing suggestive clothing. That doesn’t do anything but make them want to wear what the people they’re watching wear.
The key here is to teach them while they’re young. They need to know that you don’t have to wear revealing clothes to be considered cute or beautiful. They have all kinds of kids clothing out now that are cute and age appropriate.
Use of Manners
When your kids hear you say, “please,” and “thank you,” they’ll say it too. For some of us, manners are something that was beaten into us at a young age, but you don’t really need to take that approach now… it was a different time back then!
Now, simply telling your child to use manners works just as well, but it is something that needs to be consistent. Always remind your child of their manners whenever they ask for something or are given something. Depending on what they’re given, kids will sometimes take it and then take off without a “thank you” to be heard!
The use of manners is also a sign of respect. It shows that they respect you as well as others. Nothing is more unpleasant than dealing with a disrespectful child. It does not only reflect negatively on the child, but it speaks volumes on your parenting skills.
Avoid Explicit Language
Bad language is probably the most common behavior kids pick up on, and it’s one of those habits where, when they learn it, it sticks with them forever. So it’s best to not even give them the opportunity to learn it, especially from you.
Bad language habits can be picked up from anywhere. Television shows and certain types of music are full of them, but even the people that come around your kids can be a bad influence. If you have an uncle that curses like a sailor, then you may have to ask your uncle to keep his language rated G. Some parents will either have the kids go in a different room if there is something on the television that isn’t age appropriate, or they will have set up parental settings.
The reality is, parents aren’t going to always be able to safeguard their children from negative influences, but you can instill in them good morals, so that when they do encounter bad influences, they’ve had enough good influences to make the right decision.