The Importance of Mutual Respect Between Parents and Children

It̵7;s common for parents to desire respect from children when it comes to communication and following rules. But if respect isn̵7;t happening in your family, you should note whether respect flows both ways between parents and children, according to psychologist John Peterson at the Good Therapy website. Mutual respect helps set the tone for a positive family.

  1. Parental Example

    • Parents who want to create an environment of mutual respect should set the tone for respect with their actions and behaviors, according to Joyce K. Fittro, educator at Ohio State University. Treat everyone, including children, with a gentle, kind and fair approach. Children will feel the respect you give them and they will see the respect you give others. Both situations are effective ways to teach and build respectful behaviors in children. As you set a respectful parenting example, your children will naturally imitate your example, interacting respectfully with you and with others.

    Communicating Dignity

    • The way you speak with and to a child has a direct bearing on creating an environment of mutual respect, advises educator Helen Nolan with the Skillful Parenting website. Communicating with a child to preserve the child̵7;s dignity involves helping the child feel emotionally and physically safe and valued, states John Parankimalil, author of ̶0;Progressive Parenting.̶1; Don't talk down to a child, Nolan advises.

    Cooperation

    • Mutual respect involves a spirit of cooperation, not the insistence of compliance and obedience, according to Peterson. When you approach parenting by inviting your children to share thoughts, opinions and feelings, listening to their ideas, children feel respected and valued. Although you might not always be able to implement ideas and follow-through with what they want, just keeping an open environment where everyone can speak and everyone will listen builds respect in a family.

    Consistency

    • Strive to parent consistently to build and maintain mutual respect. Children will thrive and become more responsible when you enforce consistent rules and consequences and habitually treat your child respectfully, according to the University of Alabama Parenting Assistance Line. You might experience less misbehavior because children don̵7;t feel a need to test limits. A lack of consistency in expectations communicates disrespect because you might be putting your personal mood or sense of well-being over your parenting decisions.

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