How to Raise a Respectful Child

This is a collaborative post

Respect is important because it helps us to feel safe, trust and build relationships with others. Teaching your child how to demonstrate respect can help them to make friends and integrate into society. We have teamed up with a private school in Hampstead to share a few tips on raising a respectful child.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict and confrontation can bring out the worst in people. Teaching your child how to deal with difficult situations correctly can teach them how to remain respectful and resolve issues with the best possible outcome. To do this, it’s important to lead by example. Avoid losing your rag and exercise respect for others by listening to what they have to say before responding in a calm and collective way. 

Set an Example

Children are super observant and pick up on what they see around them easily. The reason why it’s important to create a respectful and nurturing environment. In their presence, avoid using profanity, being dismissive or unkind to others.

How to Listen and Not Talk Over Others

Active listening is a vital skill needed for the workplace and relationship building. Aside from allowing you to better connect with others, it can prevent miscommunication and help to display respect. Teaching your child how to listen to others respectfully and patiently can help them to demonstrate good manners and avoid talking over others.

Using Please and Thank You

Manners maketh the man and are the easiest way to demonstrate respect to others. Using words such as “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me” and “I beg your pardon” instead of “what” can all help to do this.

Set Limits

It’s just as important to treat yourself with respect and setting limits can stop others from taking advantage of your kind nature. This comes with learning how to say “no” with confidence and knowing your self-worth. Practising this in your own life is a good place to start.

Treating Your Child with The Same Respect

Respect is a two-way street and treating your child with respect will help them to better understand the importance of it and behave in that way. This means to acknowledge what they have to say without being dismissive of them and their feelings. For example, instead of dragging your child from the park and forcing them to go home, make them aware and give them notice.