Every parent wants the best for their kids. They want them to get the best grades, have the best behavior, and look their best- even though the awkward glasses and braces phase that most pre-teens are forced to endure. Expecting great children and raising great children don’t always go hand in hand. It is important for parents to understand what goes into helping their child or children develop into kind, intelligent, sociable, and caring individuals.
Some researchers at Harvard have outlined specific steps to take in order to support the positive behavioral growth of your kids.
The first is that you need to spend time with your children on a regular basis and engage in meaningful conversation with them. If you take an affectionate approach and are genuinely interested in building a relationship with them, you will in turn lead by example and your kids will know what good relationships should look and feel like. Another step is being a good role model and mentor. As a parent, your kids will undoubtedly look up to you and even try to mimic your behavior. The behavior that they see on your part is up to you, so be a positive influence.
Another very important step is to teach your children kindness. The value of kindness is often taught in school, but by reinforcing kind acts with your children, it will lead them to develop a caring mannerism. In order to teach your children responsibility, it is important that you give them something to be accountable for. Whether that is a small chore or even making sure that they say “thank you” at least 3 times a day, teaching your children responsibilities at a young age will benefit in the long run because they will have built the habit of being accountable from a young age.
Lastly, if you truly want to teach your kids about compassion, maybe involve them in some organizations or groups where they will be faced with people who are less fortunate than them. Participating in volunteering acts with your kids is not only a good way for you all to bond, but will also show them that while they may have pretty good lives, others aren’t as fortunate, but that they have the ability to help.