Keys to Foster Respect in the Family
It’s important to foster respect in the family in order to achieve a good relationship between the child, their parents, and siblings. Also, with other people and with themselves. It’s a fundamental learning that they should acquire from the time they’re young.
What is respect in the family?
Respect in the family is when all members are able to treat each other assertively and with good emotional intelligence. It must be built from always and forever. Presently, children seem to have a harder time showing respect for authority figures, whoever they are. This usually has to do with parenting at home and with society in general.
On the one hand, it’s possible that families are more permissive and focus solely on the welfare of the child. Therefore, the rules or limits that are so necessary for a good education are left aside. Those parents who prevent children from feeling frustrated or overcoming their own adversities are on the wrong path in terms of respect and personal growth.
All this can cause children to become selfish and even aggressive beings, rather than learning to be respectful. It’s crucial for children to realize that they’re not the center of the universe. We must reflect on that and help them to manage their emotions, but always with respect toward oneself and others.
Know 5 keys to foster respect in the family
Next, we’re going to give you some keys so that you can foster respect in the family. If you don’t know how to do it, take note and you’ll see how everything will improve in your home.
1. Set the right example
You must be the best example of a respectful person. Respect your children and they’ll respect others. To achieve this, maintain a calm space in your home and leave bad manners aside for good. The seed of aggressiveness and intolerance is born in homes where respect is lacking.
2. Start when children are young
It’s essential to start when children are very young because respect is instilled little by little. It’s not something that’s achieved overnight. Therefore, your child will grow up to be a good person. It doesn’t matter if they’re 1 or 5 years old, you must always maintain respect for your child. In this regard, accept their tastes, their interests, and take into account what they tell you. Always keep a calm attitude, even in the face of conflicts.
3. Teach tolerance and acceptance
Tolerance and acceptance go hand in hand. Therefore, both should be taught at the same time. Your children should learn that even if they don’t like something or someone, they should respect them. They must learn to accept different tastes and opinions. Diversity is what makes us wonderful because society is plural. To achieve this, there must be great communication between parents and children.
4. Help children understand emotions in order to foster respect
In order to respect others and oneself, it’s essential to take into account the understanding of emotions. To do this, we must put what we feel into words in order to correctly identify what’s happening to us and look for solutions. This will allow them to value the world around them and empathize with other people.
5. Set limits when necessary
Limits are necessary to work on respect, but the best example should always be given. We must speak to our children without shouting, calmly, and avoid frightening them and causing them to become emotionally closed off. Therefore, when you have to correct them, you must do it in a positive way. Therefore, we can teach them that there’s always a better way to say or do things.
Clear rules to maintain harmony
The rules of coexistence and the consequences of not complying with them must be clear to all family members. Therefore, family harmony and respect for it can be achieved. Of course, we must always be coherent and consistent with our own and our children’s actions.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Eggerichs, E. (2014) Amor y respeto en la familia: El respeto que los padres desean, el amor que los hijos necesitan. Editorial: Grupo Nelson