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Teaching your kids RESPECT

By | 14 Comments | Published: May 28, 2012

Respect is a beautiful thing, I firmly believe you must give it before you expect it back.  What is important in my opinion, is that we think more about how we interact with our children, and how our children interact with us and others.  Leading by exampled is ALWAYS the best way to teach your kids anything.

Teaching respect is one of the most important jobs we have as parents. The best way to teach children respect is to show respect.

I’m a bit ol skool I suppose.

I believe you should offer your sit on a bus to an older person if needed.

Hold the door open for the person behind you.

Offer to help carry something if you see someone struggling.

If you see someone in a stressed state ask if you can help

“Treat people the way you want to be treated”-   Respect EVERY person you come across, Waitresses, Cleaners, Bar Tenders, Receptionists.  Just because they are behind a counter and serving you does not mean that you have the “right” to treat them disrespectfully.

I find it infuriating when I over hear people talking to people in the service industry with disrespect.  It shows me and every person around them what a *twat* they really are – (sorry sore point with me)

Using manners is HUGE for me.  Manners are easy to teach and should always be used.

I don’t care if you’re blue, black, fat, skinny, tall, short, purple hair, no shoes, perfectly dressed.. I will always treat you with respect.  Until you do something for me to treat you otherwise.

My kids don’t see colour – they don’t see “class” they see a person. A person that deserves respect!

Have you ever been treated disrespectfully?

Or

Do you have anything to add?

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Smile

    My mother was helping out in a news agency when us kids were younger and she was teaching us manners. There was a grumpy old guy who would always come in, slap down his money and demand “paper”. No one in the shop liked to serve him, and mum was no exception. One morning, without thinking, she said to him “and what’s the magic word?” After that, he always used his pleases and thank yous. Sometimes we all need a reminder. Sometimes we need a kick in the pants. I loved my mum’s kicking abilities!

  • Jen

    Respect from our kids is something I think we all strive for as parents and I’m also a firm believer in you have to give respect to get it back. That being said, I personally think being polite to people in the service industry etc, helping someone struggling with heavy items or helping someone in a distressed state is basic human kindness and good manners. Is it the same as respect? I don’t know. I do know that our generation would never disrespect our parents! But maybe our kids are different in that the world around them is different…..

  • http://www.theimperfectmum.com.au/ The Imperfect Mum

    Well I think it’s Respect. Respect for another human.. I think to many people walk past.. What is respect to you?

  • http://www.theimperfectmum.com.au/ The Imperfect Mum

    Ha ha – LOVE THIS! – Yep, I find it funny that “some” older people are the first to put down the young ones yet are sometimes the worst at manners themselves..

  • Zoef001

    I am a manner nazi!!! Was raised by old school British parents! My very wild 3 year old surprised the hell out of me when an old man needed to get past and said “excuse me” my son swiftly moved out of the way and the old guy said “Thankyou” my mr 3 then said in his little lispy voice ” bore velcome” the smile on that mans face was absolutely priceless and for once I had a ‘perfect’ mummy moment ;)

  • Jen

    To be honest I really don’t know. I respect my friends, family, boss etc. I know that. But I guess I just wonder what actually defines it and its apparent to me that people have different definitions. I guess it’s just a ‘feeling’ or another emotion. I know I’m always battling for my kids respect, that’s a never ending battle in itself….

  • http://www.theimperfectmum.com.au/ The Imperfect Mum

    Ohhh That is AWESOME! – Love it! – Very proud Mummy moment! X

  • HannahBannana

    Check out your dictionary or thesaurus its got some good words in there to define it better. For me the word respect, is put into action by the word VALUE. If you want to show respect, then value the people around you. Its also a great word because it means we can also respect our kids by validation them. Letting them know that they too are heard, seen, and important. And all the examples Kristy has noted are great expressions of respect in our everyday lives. Maybe our world looks different, but the things that last in this world, are the deeper things that surpass time. Respect, Integrity, Love. So, really all this “ol skool” is so relevant today =)! Enjoyed your blog Kristy x)

  • Danielle

    I am a strong believer in respect I think it is not only for other people it goes for property, animals and everything. I am forever drumming into my kids to respect there things. For me also I like to teach my kids to respect other people’s wishes. We may not also do things the same way nor do we agree but we should respect the way they wish to do things. Specially in other peoples home. I think respect is something that is disappearing which makes me sad. Thanks for the new blog Kristy mwah

  • Empower1981

    I truly believe in leading by example as a teacher and now as a Mum. I’ve found the way my husband and I interact with eachother impacts on what my child learns is acceptable. I say please and thank you to my son and husband a lot and so now my 18 month old spontaneously (actually wont do it if prompted) says please and thankyou. My hubby is soft and caring he will stroke my arm or hair and say nice Mummy, we love Mummy and encourages my son to ‘look after’ mummy as a result my son imitates his Dads behaviour, it’s so cute. I have seen inappropriate behaviour that’s seemingly harmless impact a child negatively. Eg: a couple who is sarcastic, uses swearing as pet names, are aggressive in a ‘funny’ way ( egg shells I believe), ‘play fight’ using raised tones and harsh language tgen laughing after, this is confusing to a child who doesnt have tge social siills or language capacity to understand and so the child , a toddler thinks it’s appropriate to communicate in the same way, be sarcastic to Mum, tell her to get lost, etc and then get into trouble for it. So yes to get respect you must first earn it by being a role model.

  • http://www.theimperfectmum.com.au/ The Imperfect Mum

    Ohhh what a beautiful insight into your lil family.. What a lovely husband you have there. X

  • http://www.theimperfectmum.com.au/ The Imperfect Mum

    I so agree with you! – It does flow onto everything.. Property, wishes, whatever it may be! – Thanks Danielle! X

  • http://www.theimperfectmum.com.au/ The Imperfect Mum

    Thanks so Much Hannah! – Beautiful, true words XX

  • Mel

    I like to try to treat people with respect even if they don’y deserve it. That way I don’t have to feel bad for being rude and not acting in a way I am happy with. It doesn’t mean I am a push over, I just state my piece in a calm manner. It doesn’t work all the time though ;-)