*This is a guest post by Claire, a personal and professional development expert. If you are interested in guest posting for lovely little lives, please see the “work with me” option in the sidebar.*
One of the biggest fears every new parent has is how are they going to transfer their knowledge, values and the sense of right and wrong on to their children. In this case, you need to play it by ear, determine when your child is ready for which life or behavior lesson, as well as which is the right way to teach it.
Another important aspect, that we as parents sometimes forget, is leading by example. You won’t be able to teach your child anything other than what they see you doing each day. Remember that. The behavior patterns of parents are that which a child adopts, in most cases subconsciously, and those are the ones that are the hardest to change.
As for teaching values, which might be most important part of parenting, the first question most parents have is when to start. There are certain values you can teach your child before the age of five, and some that lessons will indeed come later when they are old enough to understand and implement them.
Honesty is the best policy
You might be wondering where to start when it comes to teaching values. Well, the first lesson should be teaching your child honesty. The importance of this value is in the ability to build a great, transparent relationship with your child that will, later on, help you avoid being a policeman and checking their every move. There are two major tricks to teaching this value. The first being – be honest and truthful yourself – if your child catches you in a lie, they will think it is ok for them to do the same and there will be no convincing them otherwise. The second trick is not to overreact. So in a situation where your kid comes to you and admits a mistake, instead of yelling about it, you should first commend them on telling the truth and then calmly discuss any necessary repercussions.
The importance of empathy
Empathy can be defined as the ability to recognize how someone feels, but it is so much more than just that. By teaching empathy you are teaching your child to value and respect the feelings of another person and to treat others with kindness, dignity, and understanding. This might be one of the most important values you can transfer onto your child, it will help them become better people, form long-lasting friendships and maybe even make a difference in the world someday. Luckily, you do not have to do it alone, a lot of parents have had a positive experience at Panania Childcare Centre, where their children have been learning how to show empathy towards others among other important values. Such centers help parents when it comes to instilling their children with a great system of values.
Don’t forget about determination
Now, this is a tricky value to teach, and it is one of the most important aspects of good parenting. Most children start testing their boundaries at a very early age. They want to see how much they can get away with. The determination comes from saying no and sticking to it. If you tell your child something is forbidden, and then after their whining, you cave in and allow it, you won’t be able to teach them what it means to stay determined and not give up easily. So, in this case, you definitely have to lead by example. In addition, you should help them persist in whatever they choose to do. So if they start making something and don’t finish it, or get mad, help them reach the end by supporting them and providing them with honest feedback. This way you can ensure that they will be go-getters in life, and won’t easily give up on their dreams.
Parents have the great responsibility of helping their children become not just good people but also great human beings. By teaching your child the right set of values, you can help them develop better, find their place in the society, and even improve upon their social skills. A great upbringing at home, combined with the right child care facility is the ideal recipe for forming a capable, strong and humane individual.
Claire is a personal and professional development expert who believes that a positive attitude is one of the keys to success. You can find her online writing and giving tips about lifestyle and development as a regular contributor at highstylife.com.
You can find her on social media: facebook.com/clairenadams or twitter.com/adamsnclaire