How to Teach Children to Respect Parents & Siblings
In order for a family to function successfully, parents must encourage respectful behaviors in the home between the parents, children and siblings. Having disrespectful children causes a rift in the relationship and unity of the family, and becomes disruptive to the home environment as power struggles become more routine. By teaching your kids early about respect, and showing them ways to avoid disrespectful behaviors, your children will have a better relationship with both you and their siblings.
Instructions
Be a positive role model for your child. Teach your kid how to respect parents and siblings by setting good examples for respectful behavior. For instance, say "Please" and "Thank You" to others, hold the door open for people in a store or elevator, offer your seat to someone on the bus, train or movie theater and you might even address your elders by their titles, such as "Mrs." or "Mr." As your child watches you interact with others, he will pick up on what respectful behavior looks like. Set up a mock manners class in your home for your kids. Turn one of the rooms in your home into a pretend classroom and give your kids a lesson in manners and being polite. Teach them about the importance of saying "Please," "Thank You" and how to ask for things nicely. For example, you can give them a test and ask, "How do you tell your sibling that you want to borrow a toy? Do you grab the toy? Or do you ask for it nicely by saying 'Please'?" and allow your kids to answer. Another idea for your mock manners class is to do role play activities to give your kids a sense of what respectful versus disrespectful behaviors are. Teach your children the consequences of not respecting parents and siblings. Have a consistent routine in place that you follow each time your kid does not respect you or her siblings. Every parenting style is different, so find one that works for you and your child, such as time out, taking away a toy or having your child write a letter apologizing for the disrespectful behavior. Redirect disrespectful behavior when you catch it in the act. If you notice your child being disrespectful to his sibling or to you, help your child handle the anger or frustration more constructively by having him do deep breathing exercises, write in a journal about why he is angry or frustrated or color. In time, your child will learn how to manage those disrespectful outbursts. Do not expect perfection. Children -- especially around preschool age -- are testing the limits with parents and siblings, and you may have to go through a few battles before your child gets the hang of being respectful towards others. Try to not overreact when your child is disrespectful. Handle the situation calmly, but sternly. Be firm and kind at the same time. If you overreact, your child may start to learn that she can get a reaction out of you by being disrespectful, which is counterproductive to your purpose. Minimize or eliminate disrespectful influences. For instance, if your child enjoys watching a particular television show, but the characters on the show do not portray respectful behaviors to one another, you might consider taking the program out of your child's television-watching menu. You don't want your child becoming influenced by the characters.
