11 Parenting Tips To Model Behavior

Did your parents model behavior you would like to have seen as a child? Let me ask you an honest question, what grade would your children give you with respect to model behavior as a parent today? 

What type of role models do you suppose your children are looking for in you as their parents? Parents are the children’s first and most important influencers, 100%.

The most important thing that parents can do for their children is to be good role models. Children learn from what they see and hear around them, and they will imitate the behavior of the people who are most important to them. That’s why it’s so important for parents to set a good example for their kids.

Didn’t Have Model Behavior When You Were a Child

  What A Parent Should Be Doing?

If you didn’t have the behavior you would like to have seen as a child, you will most definitely need to learn as you go. There are so many books, Ted talks, and youtube video presentations available to all. 

These tools are there to educate you and provide ideas of what your ideal parent looks like and how you can become one yourself. Will you make mistakes along the way, YUP!   In the art of parenting, you will come to realize that there is no one right way to parent. 

How do you wish your parents modeled the skills you would have liked to have seen? Communication Helps to Model Behavior. 

Always be willing to learn and improve your communication skills.

1. Model Assertive Communication

Instead – Calmly, and confidently express your expectations. Enforce consequences if those expectations are not met. Avoid communication breakdowns by being clear and concise.

Avoid – Refrain from yelling,  Threatening, or Belittling your child

Being supportive of your children’s interests and involvement in positive activities.

Communicating with your child.

2. Practice Open-Mindedness

Instead

Use language that is specific and easy to understand.

 For example, instead of saying “I’m going to be late tonight,” say “I’ll be home at 8 pm.”

It can also be helpful to provide context or additional information to ensure your message is clear. 

For example, if you’re telling your child you’ll be late, you might say “I have to work late tonight so I won’t be able to tuck you in.”

This lets your child know what to expect and helps avoid any misunderstandings.

Avoid – Using words or phrases that are confusing, vague, and open to interpretation wording.

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It’s also important to be aware of …The tonality of your voice…Body language when communicating with your child.

 Instead –  Use a Calm and friendly tone.

Maintain – Eye contact. This will help convey your message more effectively.

Avoid – Sounding angry, Frustrated, and Disappointed

These can make your child feel defensive or upset.

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3. Model Behavior That Is Great For Your Childs’s Growth Success

Messages You Could Be Sending To Your Children Through Your Actions. Some parents may not realize the impact their actions have on their children. 

For example…a parent who is always working long hours may be sending the message to their child that work is more important than family. This can lead the child to feel neglected and unimportant.

Alternatively, a parent who is always arguing with their spouse may be sending the message to their child that relationships are difficult and this is the method to communicate with one another.

• Avoid conflict, and talk things out calmly and respectfully
• Active listening, Maintaining eye contact
• Use non-verbal cues to show interest
• Make gestures, lean in, say “uh”, “Hm” and nod
• Refrain from interruption, Speak kindly and without judgment
• Listen with patience and understanding, and Show empathy towards others
• Compromise and negotiate, Handle difficult conversations in a tactful way

It’s always worth setting a good example in terms of personal behavior, such as treating other people with respect, refraining from using drugs or alcohol, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Parenting Classes Online with Certificates and Types of Certificates

4. Respond to Your Child’s Emotions in a Supportive Way

Avoid

Using non-supportive interaction, –  “Calm down,” –  “Don’t be sad/mad/frustrated/etc.” – “It’s not a big deal.” – “Stop crying.” – “I don’t know why you feel that way.”

Responses like this will invalidate your child’s emotions and can make them feel like they are not allowed to express themselves. Instead, try to respond in a way that shows you understand and empathize with how they are feeling.

 Supportive Responses

“It sounds like you’re feeling really upset/angry/frustrated,” –  “It’s okay to feel that way,” – “I’m here for you,” – “Do you want to talk about what happened?” – “Can I give you a hug?         

 Encourage Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving (Ask)

• “What do you think is the best way to handle this situation?”
• “What are some possible outcomes of this situation?”
• “How do you think the other person is feeling in this situation?”
• “What could you have done differently in this situation?”
• “What can you do to fix this situation?”
• “What can you do to prevent this situation from happening again in the future?”

5. How to Express Their Emotions in a Healthy Way

Talk about how they’re feeling with a parent, caregiver, or friend. Drawing or painting about their emotions.

Punching a pillow or stuffed animal to release anger in a safe way. Express themselves through dance or creative movement. Play with a pet, which can help boost feelings of happiness and love.

OfferPraise and Positive Reinforcement for Good Behavior

Words of encouragement like “good job!”, a Hug or high five, Extra attention and praise, Stickers or other small rewards, Letting them choose an activity to do together, and Special privileges, like staying up an extra half hour on a weekend night.

Set Consistent Boundaries and Limits

Bedtime limits, Screen time limits, Homework limits, Housework or chore limits, and Food and snack limits.

Model The Behavior You Want to See From Your Child

Such as Kindness, Empathy, etc., Smiling at people, Saying please and thank you, Holding the door open for someone, Picking up something someone dropped, and Offering to help with something!

To model empathy, you can put yourself in another person’s shoes and try to understand how they feel. You can also express understanding and concern for how someone else is feeling. Lastly, you can take action to help make someone feel better if they are experiencing a tough time.

Follow Through With Consequences When Necessary

6. Communicate Openly and Honestly With Your Child About Difficult Topics

What type of difficult topics should you discuss with your child?

Some difficult topics you may want to discuss with your child are death, divorce, violence, natural disasters, and illnesses. It is important, to be honest with your child about these topics and to answer any questions they may have. You should also provide comfort and support if they seem upset or worried. Additionally, you should let them know it is okay to talk to you about anything that is on their mind.

Additional Model Behavior Parents Can Teach Their Children Include

Setting a good example in terms of personal behavior, such as treating other people with respect, refraining from using drugs or alcohol, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

7. Demonstrate Strong Character Traits 

There are many strong character traits we can model to our children. Some important ones include;

honesty…respect…responsibility…empathy…perseverance

It is important, to be honest with our children and set a good example for them. We should also respect their feelings and opinions, even if we don’t always agree with them.

We need to be responsible for our own actions and be there for our children when they need us. It is also important to teach our children empathy so that they can understand how others feel and be more compassionate.

Finally, we should model perseverance to our children, so that they can learn to never give up, even when things are tough.

8. Model Respect for Authority Figures and Follow Rules and Laws

First and foremost, parents must respect authority figures themselves and set an example for their children to follow.

It is also important to have a discussion with your children about why it is important to respect those in positions of authority and follow rules and laws.

You can explain that by doing so, we create a society that is orderly and fair, and that everyone can feel safe within.

 Finally, it is also important to reinforce these concepts through your own actions as a parent 

…As an example, by following rules and obeying laws yourself.

Exhibit Positive Behavior in Terms of Work Ethics

9. Model Behavior – Take Ownership and Personal Responsibility 

There are a few ways that a child can take ownership and personal responsibility for their behavior.

One way is to be aware of their actions and how they might affect others. Another way is to be willing to take responsibility for their own mistakes and learn from them.

Finally, it is important to avoid the blame game by accepting responsibility for their role in any situation. 

By taking these steps, a child can learn to be accountable for their own actions and improve their behavior over time.

Care About Your Appearance

One way we can model the Care About your Appearance lifestyle to our children is by always making sure that we are well-groomed and presentable. 

We can also explain to them why it is important to make a good first impression and how our appearance can affect how others perceive us.

Additionally, we can encourage them to take pride in their own appearance and to always strive to look their best. 

Finally, we can lead by example by maintaining our own appearance in a way that we feel is stylish and professional. By doing all of these things, we can teach our children the importance of caring about their appearance and help them to develop into well-rounded individuals.

10. How to Manage Money Responsibly and Make Wise Decisions

It’s never too early to start teaching your child about money management. Some parent psychologists,  recommend that you model responsible behavior around money and use everyday opportunities to teach your toddler about wise spending and saving decisions. 

For example, when you’re grocery shopping, explain to your child why you’re buying certain items and how you’re budgeting for the purchase.

You can also involve your child in simple money-saving tasks, like putting loose change in a piggy bank. 

By teaching your child about money management from an early age, you’ll set the foundation for healthy financial habits that will last a lifetime.

11. Parents Should Provide Structure and Limits for Their Children

While it’s important for parents to allow their children some freedom to explore and make their own choices, it’s also important for parents to provide structure and limits. 

Children need to know what is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they don’t meet those expectations.

This helps them to feel safe and secure and provides them with a sense of structure in their lives.

By setting a good example and modeling the behavior you want to see in your children, you can help them develop into responsible, caring, and successful adults.

Conclusion 

Your children are watching and learning from everything you do, so make sure that they see you model the behavior you want them to emulate.  Many child psychologists state that one of the most important things that they see parents doing wrong is not being good role models.

Parents are their children’s first and most important role models, so it’s crucial that they set a good example for their kids. I’ve outlined eleven ways that you can be a great role model for your child, based on what research has shown to be effective.

If you can model these behaviors yourself, your child will likely follow suit. As my 2-year-old grandson says, “You got this”.  Enjoy your children!