Teach your child to respect others and be respected in return

If you want your child to be treated with respect by others then it is up to you – as a parent – to teach them to not only respect themselves but to respect those around them.

Deep down, we all want to be valued and respected for what we bring to the world. Even young children want – and deserve – respect. When children are respected, they have a better chance of succeeding in life. When a child is shown respect, he or she understands what it means and how important it is. It’s nearly hard for youngsters to succeed if they don’t respect their classmates, authorities, or themselves.

Help your child show and receive respect

Even at a young age, children have to fight an uphill battle to be respected on many levels. From the playground to the sports field, your child will need to take an active role to make sure they get the respect they deserve.

So, how do you set your children on the right path to being respected? Firstly, begin by teaching them the right way to act. If your children are taught to be polite, well-mannered, and kind to all those they interact with, they will be sending a message to others that they deserve to be respected in return.

Respect is earned

Respect is not something that can be gained by force. It is something that is earned. Your child can “earn” the respect of others by:

• Treating others how they would like to be treated
• Thinking about the feelings of others
• Celebrating the similarities and the differences that make us unique
• Being aware of the talents and qualities other people possess
• Listening to the thoughts and feelings of others
• Being proud of their own achievements, as well as the achievements of their friends, siblings, and peers

Teaching children self-respect 

Parents frequently emphasise the principles of sharing and thinking of others first, yet there is virtue in allowing children to first meet their own needs before considering the needs of others. After we have taken care of ourselves, we have a natural sensitivity to others. Some may view this attitude as selfish, but doesn’t it make sense that our children are better prepared to assist others once they have ensured their own well-being?

If your child has a special item that he or she does not want to share and a playmate is coming to visit, this is an illustration of this principle. That toy can be put away, and other toys can be played with instead.

Set a good example

Of course, all children learn best by example, so make sure that she sees the proper behaviour around her will be the best way to get the message across. Make sure you are engaged in respectful relationships, where you are treated properly, and that you treat others with respect as well. This will give your child the right idea of what to expect from a relationship as he/she grows up.

Equally important is making sure that your child understands what is not acceptable behaviour. Don’t let your child grow up thinking that it is ok to be hurt and devalued. You want better for them, so you need to make sure that they don’t tolerate disrespectful behaviour from others.

All children must understand that no one has the authority to harm their bodily or mental well-being. Inappropriate physical contact, as well as undesirable words or behaviours that make a child feel uncomfortable or afraid, must be discussed in a clear, age-appropriate manner.