Children Can Mirror Our Behavior

Children Can Mirror Our Behavior - Angry Girl pointing finger

Children can express behavior and feelings that reflect back on how we act with them.

 

By Amy Egan

Recently, I have been coaching a mother whose six-year-old daughter has a lot of control in their home.  Due to the nature of their personalities, both parents were allowing this to go on because they saw it as being better than any conflict that ensued when Meg was not given her way. Naturally, life had gotten very uncomfortable for all three of them.  To start with, we worked out a plan to help get Mom and Dad back in charge of the situation. Things like not arguing with Meg, setting a limit once and following through with a consequence, not minding when Meg got really upset with them, all helped tremendously.  And while both parents were thrilled with the improvements and new-found harmony within the family, Mom was still puzzled by Meg’s almost constant attempts to control her mother.

Our work together then went on to the next layer of the onion, and here is what popped up.

3 Ways to Increase Respect: Respect Starts With Words

Definition of respectRespect Starts With Words and Setting Examples

How do you define respect? Respect has been called “the single most powerful ingredient in nourishing relationships and creating a just society” and referred to as “the glue that binds people together and holds together one’s self-confidence.” [1]

As parents, the words we use with our children today affect the adults they become tomorrow. It’s time to consider a new definition of respect when it comes to parenting and building relationships with our children.