Here are some helpful tips from Step Up Education to help your children learn the essential skill of self-respect:
The most effective way to teach self-respect is to model it: Our children do what we do, not always what we say. Start by making sure that YOU respect yourself first.
Teach your children to take responsibility for their behaviours and choices: Accountability is essential to developing self-respect. Mistakes and failures are inevitable. Individuals with high levels of self-respect will own their mistakes and seek to find positive solutions.
Teach your children to set healthy personal boundaries: It is okay to say no without feeling shameful or guilty. We teach others how to treat us. Setting boundaries ensures that we create and maintain self-respect.
Teach your children that they can and should walk away from abusive or unhealthy friendships: Positive friendships share common values and respect each other’s personal space. Allowing or justifying negative behaviours from others simply teaches them to continue in these behaviours.
Teach your children to be kind – towards themselves first and, in turn, toward others: ‘Be gentle with yourself, little one, for we are all learning and growing and finding our way through life.’ “Self-respect can only be taught effectively if it is modelled effectively. Parents, you are your children’s first and longest-lasting teachers. Respect yourself enough to teach your children to do the same. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worthwhile,” says Cindy Glass, Owner and co-Founder of Step Up Education Centres.
Source: Step Up Education Centres, www.stepuped.co.za.