In our society it’s not rare to pick up a newspaper and see where teenagers have committed violence against their parents or other children or committed a serious crime. Children learn their behavioral habits/patterns in early life from their parents and other family members and friends. If a father/mother displays acts of cruelty, plays mind games, teaches control methods, dishonesty, cheating, etc., children will believe this is an acceptable means to treat other people. If it’s okay for a parent, then the child believes its okay for them to do too.
Parents are an important teaching factor in their child’s life and if they consistently display kindness and care to their children, spouse and other family members, the child learns all these strategies from the parent’s actions. Parents play a valuable role in a child’s life and if parents learn to display the best of themselves for the sake of their children, they’ll see that it does make a big difference in their life.
Children who are raised in a family that has constant violence and drinking/drug problems, the children will believe it is okay for them to do too. I’ve seen this in many families in my lifetime; and in the majority, the children ended up having serious problems too as well as dropping out of school.
Parents need to provide security, love, lend a listening ear, have a close relationship and provide a sense of trust for their children. When parents have a caring and involved attitude toward their children they’re less likely to stray. Show a sincere interest in their children by getting them involved in sports activities and church activities and then attending those activities when the parent is required to do so.
It’s also important that children be supervised by their parents. When a child does not get the proper encouragement, support and protection, they’ll go it alone and without a parent’s supervision and this leads to major trouble. Children that are not properly supervised will end up having behavioral problems.
I can remember how my Dad would say, “You’re pulling the rein to hard;” and I automatically knew I was pushing my luck with him and using the reins to my advantage and he wasn’t going to condone it. This would routinely put me back on track.
Children learn from their parents behaviors such as attitude and values in life and it doesn’t take them long to pick-up on them. Parents who teach their children to respect other people and their property, to be an honest person, to take pride in everything they do and to protect their heritage this teaches them to endure and to have strength to succeed in their life.
A parent should always keep a rule and never let a child slide if they’ve broken the rule. When a child is allowed to slide this teaches those rules are made but can be broken and they’ll get use to breaking the rules often.
A child should always be taught there are rules in life and they’re not to be broken and if they are, there is a consequence.
Parents should “never” fight and verbally fuss in front of their children, there’s a time and a place for such actions. They don’t want their children to feel threatened and afraid because this can cause mental abuse to a child. Displaying aggravation and unhappiness toward one another can be a sign of a hostile environment to a child. Parents should have rules for their methods of raising their children too and should never try to slide on a rule.
The home place should always be a safe, secure, nonviolent place for children, where they can go to sleep at night knowing everything is going to be alright.
It’s wise for parents to display love, tenderness and a caring attitude at all times and they’ll find their children will be of the same quality. Teach your children that violence is a big no, no in society and bullying is not permitted.
Parents should also monitor programs children are watching on television and never permit movies with violence. This in my opinion is what’s causing lots of problems in our teen’s world today.
Barbara Kasey Smith is the writer of this article based upon her years of experience with her children.