Your children and teens take in everything you do. They watch how you handle stress, treat other people, and deal with your own emotions. They observe for hours, weeks, and eventually, years. If a person were a sponge, your children and teens would be the size of an entire ocean, soaking up all the information and wisdom they can gather.
This is why the famous Bobo doll experiment revealed how kids imitate adult behavior. If you’re aggressive and tend to take things out physically, they will grow up thinking aggression is normal and acceptable. In contrast, they would imitate your kindness if you were to be kind. Compared to the latter, the former would increase the risk of your child needing help from a counseling center in the future.
Be more mindful of your actions to influence your kids through positive behavior and prevent the need for a therapist down the line. Here are some tips to help you raise your kids to be holistically healthy:
Teach Life Skills
You have opportunities to be a role model every day. Think about what you want your kids to learn from you, and try to model that in your life.
Naturally, there will be times when you slip up and don't always do things exactly as you planned. When that happens, take the opportunity to:
Talk to your kids about where you slipped up and how you hope to do better next time.
Put yourself in their shoes and ask what they would have done in the same situation.
Teach them to learn from their mistakes, but don't beat themselves up over them. It is essential to help your kids be kind to themselves when they make a mistake.
Live Healthily
A fit lifestyle helps you set an excellent example for your kids, as it teaches them to value their health. Plus, you're also helping them avoid childhood obesity. When you eat healthily and exercise regularly, your kids will be more likely to do the same.
Limiting fast food and preparing healthy meals teaches kids to make good choices, including limiting their fast food intake. However, being overbearing or restrictive about food and body image can lead to body image issues and eating disorders, which could land them in therapy at a counseling center. Find the right balance and teach them to value moderation.
Model Respect and Empathy
As a parent, aim to raise kind kids by modeling respect and empathy in your life. Eventually, your kids will follow. In everyday situations, you can teach your child to be empathetic by discussing feelings with them. This prevents bullying.
Deal With Technology
Before you can talk to your kids about how much time they are spending in front of a screen, take a look at yourself first. Even if you're working, answering emails, and doing things you consider productive, you are still setting an example for your kids. Address your technology use first and then set some standards for the kids.
Walk the Talk
You probably won't always be a perfect role model, but strive to be one nonetheless. For example, if you don't want your kids to pick up a Juul, don't use e-cigs. Don't tell white lies if you want your kids to be truthful.
Every time you follow a household rule, model it for your kids. For example, if a friend bakes you a cake and you think it tastes horrible, you'd still tell them it tasted delicious to spare their feelings. Explain why you did this to prevent a trip to the counseling center later on.
In Conclusion
To be a good parent, you have to set a good example for your children. The model you place will stay with your kids throughout their lives, enabling them to be successful individuals in society. Remember these tips to influence your children with your positive behavior.
For more parenting and growth resources, visit Hope Seed Support Center today! We are a counseling center in Houston, Texas, providing intervention, nutritional therapy, and many other programs. Our dedication to excellence and benevolence is what drives us to provide comprehensive, client-centered care. Set an appointment with us now.
