By Danny Huerta
Respect is an essential component of communication and correction in the home. Read more about how respect is one of the seven essential traits of effective parenting.
My family was standing in line for the old-time roller coaster at a theme park. We were next in line, and as a group near us exited their car, a boy forgot his cap in the cubby where people leave their belongings so that they don’t come flying out during the ride. He ran back to get it, and by accident, he cut sharply in front of an adult. When the boy got back near his family, his father slapped him upside the head. I was saddened by the scene. Perhaps this father was trying to teach his son the importance of respecting strangers, but it sure seemed like a disrespectful—and ineffective—way to teach that lesson. Respect breeds respect, and disrespect breeds disrespect.
Related Content: Take our free 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment to see where you rank in the area of respect.
Respect is an essential component of communication and correction in the home. Parents are required to have many types of interactions with their children. We teach them and discipline them. Wise parents treat their children respectfully in all of these situations. This builds a child’s sense of value. And it’s an important part of how children learn how to respect others—especially their parents.
Children raised in respectful environments learn these important traits:
Forgiveness and grace
In respectful homes, children better learn to forgive and accept forgiveness. Everyone messes up and needs a do-over, parents included, and a respectful family atmosphere creates the workings for humility and grace.
Authentic humility
Children who are taught respect learn that people are important. They began to think of others instead of just themselves, and they are often more genuine in their care for others.
Attention and patience
A respectful family environment teaches children to focus their attention and listen to others—to recognise that what other people have to say is important. They learn to wait for their turn and not insist on always having their own way.
Boundaries and assertiveness
When children understand the significance of respecting others’ possessions and time, they learn to take care for what is someone else’s and what is their own.
Trust
A respectful home helps build trust among family members, the foundation of love. Respectfulness will create good character, which is how we behave when no one else is watching. Trust helps create a natural flow of empathy, compassion and kindness toward each other in the home.
Copyright © 2017 by Focus on the Family
