Good Habits for Kids

Many parents feel that a strict hand will ensure that the child is well-behaved. This is far from the truth, as this approach can have loads of drawbacks. The child may grow up to be meek, or resentful. On the other hand, an extremely lenient approach, in some cases, can cloud the child's judgment.

Ephesians 6:4 -- taken from The Holy Bible -- says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." It means that parents who love their children will talk to them day in and day out and discipline them diligently.

Just letting your child know the good habits is not enough; you, as a parent, must also encourage them to put these habits into action. There are certain etiquette that a child must develop in order to be responsible, independent, and level-headed in the future. Go through the list mentioned below and instruct your children in the right way.

The best way to inculcate this habit in your child is by being respectful yourself. As a parent, it is your duty to set a good example for your child, only then will the child listen to his elders.

And make them realize that their behavior towards others is wrong and that they should treat everyone equally. If you feel that your child is aggressive, then help him to develop the habit of controlling his anger and calming down. Also, as a parent, you should be alert about your kid's safety and protect him/her from getting teased or bullied.

He must also not be cruel to animals and should learn to be compassionate and forgiving.

Instruct your children to always tell the truth, as lying will complicate the situation. They must learn to admit their wrongdoing, whether done deliberately, or accidentally. They should learn to apologize instead of crying and/or running away.

Besides the above qualities, a child must learn to incorporate the four magic words -- "please," "sorry," "thank you," and "you're welcome." Also, children must not interrupt elders when they are talking.

A child must refrain from insulting adults, or other children. He has to learn not to use abusive or foul language. This is something that you, as a parent, must be very careful about.

While watching a game, or arguing about something, be sure not to swear in front of your kids because they pick up these things very quickly, and before you know it, they may embarrass you in front of others.

Parents must work towards instilling confidence in children. This is important, as many character flaws occur because of low self-esteem. They must be taught to value the self-esteem of others and never indulge in any behavior that can harm someone's self image.

A child should not to be judgmental about appearances, or circumstances of other people. Teaching him never to judge people based on their face value is another good habit.

If you don't do so, then they would constantly be relying on you to help them finish their work. Start by making them responsible with small things, and reward them for fulfilling their tasks.

You could ask your child to recall all the good things that happened during the day, and spend the next few minutes, thanking and being grateful about it. There are so many things we take for granted, such as family, food, clothing, shelter, electricity, water, money, ability to see, read, and write, etc.

Teach your child to be grateful about these things, and in turn, you will be laying the foundation for him to become a responsible adult.

Teaching good habits will ensure that little kids grow to become self-disciplined, loving, and caring. They will not only have the strength and power to face this world, but will also attain success in life. So, here's wishing you all the best in your pursuit.