subject: Teaching Your Children By Example [print this page] One of the first things children learn is how to imitate. With these imitation skills, children use this as a foundation for behaving properly, being self-sufficient, and developing physical and verbal skills. Children are very impressionable, as they watch you, the parent, up close and look up to you as the perfect role model. The things you say and do would become your child's blueprint when it comes to their attitudes and actions leading to adulthood.
Consistency in how we love and care for our children cannot be ignored at this stage. This good example should extend to the way we deal with family members or friends who are in touch with our children. Be man enough to admit your mistakes, may it be to your kids or to your other loved ones.
Love yourself in the same way that you love your children. It is easy to neglect one's needs when spending so much time taking care of the children and their needs. There are people who depend on us - our children and our family - and expect us to be in the best of emotional and physical shape, so we need to take care of our children, and also teach by example by taking good care of our own physical and emotional health. This allows us to show our love to our children, while at the same time showing them that we love ourselves and know how to take care of our own health. This could lead you to teaching your child lessons about self-esteem. For example, you can focus on a hobby, or take the spouse out to dinner or a movie while you hire a sitter to take care of your little ones. Remember that you are a human being with needs and interests, and your child must see that while learning to cope with your brief period of absence.
You can also show a good example by getting along well with your significant other. This gives your children an opportunity to see how the perfect marriage should look like, while encouraging them with this good example by openly showing your love and affection to your spouse.
By imitating these proper behaviors and actions, your child can grow up to be a productive adult. All you need is to say and do the right things as your child develops that self-esteem he or she needs in life.
