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Have you ever stopped for a moment and asked yourself where your child picked up a certain behavior or habit whether it is good or bad? The answer is through the people that they around them. Kids are like sponges; they will absorb anything and everything in their environment around them. So in other words they are paying attention to what the people around them are doing. This includes you, your child’s siblings, friends, teachers and even the people they watch on television. Anyone that they look up to as a role model. Making sure that your child is influenced by positive role models will help them achieve more in life.
So, who is your child’s most powerful role model? Naturally the very first answer would be ourselves. Which is why it is important that you set a good example for your child. Our children are born as clean slates. Being a parent holds many different responsibilities; not the least of which is that we all have the incredible opportunity or responsibility to demonstrate to our children the values and moral ethics that will turn them into free-thinking, strong young individuals. How do we achieve this? There are a few tips that we can share with you on this subject.
Make sure that you share your values with your children. Which means that you talk to your children about where you stand on major issues such as drugs, sex, homelessness, poverty, and religion just to name a few. Include them in activities that demonstrate your point. Perhaps you have decided to help a family who is needy at Christmas, have them help you organize and get items together for the family. Acting, not just talking about these values creates a major and positive emotional impact on your children.
Next, show your children that you are confident and happy with who you are and where you are in life. Your children need to see that you have self esteem. If they see that mom and dad are happy and, then they are more likely to be happy with who they are. Showing them the importance of being independent is also vital. Encourage them to make new friends outside of their regular playmates; show them that differences make us all unique and special. Let them know that you don’t have to be a follower of the latest fad; that you can find your own niche in the world.
Try your best to deal with stresses of day-to-day living in positive ways. We’re all human; not super heroes. Explain this to your children. If you have always been open and honest with your children, they will understand this. Some days there will be more stress than others; don’t hide it from your children. Try to do an activity together to help alleviate the stress and teach them how to deal with it in a positive way. Go skating, or to a park. Exercise and fresh air can simplify the most exhausting and nerve-racking times. A human trait is that often we learn by doing; children are no different. As parents, we need to lead the way and open the doors for our children on an emotional level.
Be honest with your children. Let them know about your successes and your failures. It is vitally important for children to know that mom and dad are human and they have made mistakes and moved on anyway in a positive manner. Do not perceive to protect your children from this and think that you are doing them a favour. Disappointments are just as much a part of life as successes are. Failing doesn’t make you a bad person, it gives you the chance to learn how to do something better and it builds your character even though at the time you may not be aware. When one door closes; often another opens. Through this lesson; we teach our children that character is not something we go to the store and buy. It is earned through the good times and especially the bad times in our life. It simply makes us who we are; it’s up to each individual to make the positive choices from there.
Be sure to let your children know that you love them no matter what. UNCONDITIONALLY! DO NOT assume for one minute that children know this automatically. Your child may question it. Don’t worry; it’s normal for a child to have doubts. Take this as an opportunity to hug them and tell them how much you love them and what an incredible and talented person they are.
One final tip for parents on being a positive role model for their children is to always make sure you are involved in their lives. Use regular times in the day, whether at dinner table or during the evening. Talk to them about their day at school, what they learned, what they did. Keep your home a place where their friends enjoy coming; invite them over for dinner from time to time. Get to know who their friends are and enjoy their company. This will demonstrate that you care about their friends and it is a great way to keep connected with your child.
If you are looking for other positive role models to introduce into your child’s life start looking close to home. Perhaps there is someone in your community that you know who shares a common interest with your child that could help them strive to be the best they can be. Then look into activities that your child enjoys. If it is sports, look at the sport and see if there is a well known person in the area that your child can relate to. If there isn’t, don’t worry. You don’t have to look very far for positive role models. You are the best example that your child could ever ask for.
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