BEING A ROLE MODEL FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Children often mirror the behavior of their parents. As parents are regularly the most frequent point of contact for any child, it is important for parents to convey a positive example to their children.

Here are 10 tips for parents to follow to set a positive example for your kids.

1. Positive Communication Skills

Kids grow up learning and imitating their parents, which is why it is important to be a good role model to them. Parents should be careful with the words they use in front of their young ones as they tend to pick it up easily. A healthy communication would also mean parents actively listening to their kids instead of shutting them off. Additionally, parents can set their kids on the path of good behaviour by being patient with them.

2. Strong Set of Positive Values

In this digital day and age, upholding values such as love, kindness, empathy and respect has become increasingly challenging. As gadgets and technologies take a more prominent role in today’s society, families start to communicate less with each other and kids would feel disconnected from their parents. A practice that should be done regularly is for parents to set a schedule to unplug from their gadgets and spend quality time with loved ones instead.

3. A Sense of Self-awareness

Being self-aware will help you connect with your kids better. When parents do not take active measures to be self-aware, they become trapped in their own emotions. They might not recognise that they are unconsciously repeating patterns that they picked up from the previous generation. Parents should not be judgmental and critical of their children’s ways. Instead, they should seek to support their children and encourage them to explore their own endeavours.

4. Sense of Humour

Laughing is the best medicine and one of the many ways that brings a family together. It is important to keep a healthy perspective on things and to have a sense of humour whenever possible. Parents can use humour to calm situations down and to encourage proper behaviour. Instilling humour into difficult situations can preserve the connection you have with your kids.

5. Committed Friendship

Parents who maintain genuine friendships make good role models. Young people who have parents that others regard as reliable, are usually self-assured and happy. Children learn to be friends from observing how their parents act with their own friends or teammates. They too will learn to be team players when they engage in sports and games with others. Parents have a huge influence over their children’s friendships through their own interactions and relationships with others.

6. Willingness to Help Others

Children who volunteer in the community tend to have parents who are also volunteers. Altruism is a trait that runs and is nurtured within a family. There is no greater honour for a family than having generations of Good Samaritans. Research has found that individuals who share their lives with those in need are commonly happier and more accepting of others. Having parents who actively volunteer will influence and encourage their children to become one. Research has shown that generous people tend to be happier in life.

7. Cultivating Tolerance

Parents who are tolerant are able to interact well with people from different cultures and beliefs. Children observe how their parents interact with others who are different from them. Being tolerant does not mean accepting wrongdoing but respecting the values of those who are ‘different’ from you. Children who grow up in families that do not encourage discrimination eventually becomes happy and satisfied individuals. These children are also able to make decisions that are impactful and effective, giving them a head-start in developing their leadership skills.

8. Healthy Lifestyle

As parents, you play a vital role in shaping your child’s eating habits. From a very young age, parents should prepare meals and provide healthy food choices for their kids. It’s all about making the right choices to help your children develop healthy eating habits. Be sure to buy fresh food instead of processed ones. Another tip to keep a healthy lifestyle is to exercise regularly.

9. Habit for Lifelong Learning

In this fast-changing world of technology, parents would certainly want the best for their kids. Parents would want their kids to be able to learn and stay ahead. Aside from sending children to classes at a very young age, parents should also incorporate lifelong learning in their daily routine. You are never too old to learn something new, or too young to learn too much.

10. Unconditional Love

For kids, the influence they receive from their parents is much greater compared to anyone else in their lives. Parents should strive to provide a healthy environment for their kids and give them unconditional love. Loving unconditionally simply means to accept kids the way they are without restrictions or specifications. It is known that children who receive unconditional love from their parents have stronger self-esteem and resilience towards stress.