As any parent can tell you, parenting doesn’t come with a manual. For most people, parenting is all about figuring it out as you go, improvising the best that you can. For many of us, all we can do is hope that we can manage to keep our kids bathed, fed, and loved— the rest is just a bonus.
And while the theory of “nurture vs nature” is still up for debate, most people can agree that the more you can instill a positive upbringing in your children, the more likely they will be polite and well-respected adults. Here are some tried and true habits that, if you can manage to start early, can shape your child into a well-rounded and kind human.
Respect Your Elders
One of the most well-known customs that is expected in most cultures is having respect for your elders. Your elders are people who have experienced more in life than we have and have earned the title of being a senior. And while it’s important to respect everyone, it’s especially important that your children learn to respect the senior age bracket in the hierarchy of society and give credit where credit is due.
Say “Please” and “Thank You”
It’s incredibly simple, yet it matters— it’s critical that you teach your child to say “please” and “thank you,” as this will help them develop respect and gratitude from a young age. At first, they may not necessarily understand why they’re supposed to say it, but the more that you encourage them to do so, the more it will reinforce the habit and make it come naturally without having to ask. In the beginning, they may have to be forced quite a bit, and there may be battles; however, over time, as they get older, you’ll find less resistance.
Cleaning Up
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a parent is assuming that kids are too young to do their part in cleaning up. Even 2-year-olds can clean up, as long as you give them age-appropriate tasks.
Get them into the habit of putting toys back, tossing trash in the trash can, or even helping you tidy up the room, (regardless of whether it’s actually effective or not)—as this builds responsibility early on.
To encourage them to get involved, make it fun. You can try to sing a song while cleaning or even try racing the clock by cleaning as fast as you can. The goal isn’t necessarily perfection, but rather about planting the seed of the rule that “we clean up after ourselves and take care of our space.” This rule will help them in their personal and professional lives for years to come.
