Parents must understand that they are the first role models in their child’s life before they (kids) go to the wider world to interact with other people.
Every child learns in his or her own special way. It is a fact that children learn by observing others and noting the consequences of their action. Children are very perceptive and watch every move that parents make. They observe, learn and imitate behavior, actions, values, belief and even expressions of their parents. As children grow, the first people they emulate in their lives are their parents. So in every essence we have to act responsibly when we are in the midst of our kids.
“Parents are not always perfect, we lose our tempers, say things we do not intend to say and feel sorry for afterwards. Sometimes we are not in the mood to be friendly as we would like to, it’s normal, we are human. But it is also important to admit our mistakes, say we are sorry and show that we try to make things right. Being a positive role model for our kids is one of the most important and rewarding things we can do for them” says Mrs. Maimuna Sadiq an educationist.
Think through what you are modeling to your kids. You are the only one with tremendous power regarding the mental and physical development of your child. It is very important that you be a good role model for your child because it is the only dependable way that your child can learn values they will carry for life. Through your actions, behavior, words and love you can direct your children towards a decent and dependable future and where you want them to be in future.
You can model to the kids what you believe they need to be able to survive in the world. The odds is that they will follow your lead. If you merely offer lip service and do not do as you say then your actions will be speaking more volumes than your words.
Do you know that parents especially mothers are their kids’ best role models? You should be asking yourself what you are modeling to your child through your behavior? Look through these questions carefully and see if are being a positive role model to your kids.
1. Do you effectively resolve conflicts with people amicably or you fight and fuss about an argument you had with someone?
2. Do you handle disappointments with a rational, positive strategy or do you drown your self in drugs, alcohol or other negative behaviors to suppress the disappointment.
3. Does your family see you approach problems and setbacks as opportunities or do you see them as crisis?
4. Do you model high morals and discourage gossips, lying to people and taking unfair advantage of a situation or a person amongst other negative behaviors.
5. Do you model self esteem and self worth based on worthy character traits or do you model materialistic things in terms of latest fashion e.t.c.
6. Do you model a relationship that is supporting, loving and caring or do you model a relationship that criticizes others.
7. Do you model taking care of yourself properly through what you eat or do you just go eating junk food, do you keep late nights or come home with friends that are not decent?
These are just a few of the questions you will need to evaluate yourself to see if you are being a good role model to you kids. The better a role model you are to your child the more you develop your child’s self esteem and confidence.
What our kids become in future tells the type of parents we were when they are all grown up. Most parents forget that who we are always reflects in our kids later in life. So if you have not being doing a very good job, it’s not too late to buckle up and try to make the future brighter for your kids.
Children experiment what they learn, watch, listen and follow. So try working towards steps that lead in the right direction.
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