Respect

There is a lot that comes to mind when you hear the word "respect." What comes to my mind are my parents and my grandparents when I hear that word.
They all had big hearts and were so loving but at the same time they were also no-nonsense people. They raised me to respect my elders, it was automatic in my family. It was instilled in me when I was very young along with a distinct definition that left no room for misunderstanding. If you didn't respect your elders in my generation, not a problem. There was no discussion. You simply made up your own little breakdance in the middle of the floor with a little help from your parent's hand and a switch that you pulled from a tree or a bush and belts worked fine too, lol. I can laugh about it now, but believe me it wasn't funny then. Factor in that we couldn't call 911 back in the day, and if we had, it would have been much worse. Most of us would've had really hurt "feelings" afterwards, if you catch my meaning.

I wish that today's younger generation had more respect for themselves and for others, especially their parents. The switch doesn't seem to work for these kids today either, and I know that some parents don't believe in physical discipline, but those of us that got whippings turned out just fine. Some of the parents that don't discipline their children seem to be afraid of their kids and so the kids call the shots and make their own rules which means that something is completely off kilter here. It seems that the best way to teach respect is to show respect and we know that it should start at home early. When a child experiences respect, they know what it feels like and they begin to understand how important it is, and along the way responsibility and integrity are learned. Schools teach children about the basics of respect, but parents have the most influence on how respectful children become.

What can we do today to instill respect into our younger generation, for themselves and for others? How do we get them to see the importance and the significance at this stage when their minds have already been clouded? One way might be helpful. We should tell them we love them, every single day. Tell them they matter and what they say, think and feel matter as well. We need to show them by believing in them while helping them to believe in themselves. Another way is to simply talk to them, and listen to what they have to say, they may just open up more. If you don't normally talk to them so freely, then change that right away. Make them feel comfortable enough to have those important conversations with you. Spend quality time as a family and do things together that you all like at least once a week. It can't hurt.

We all have to realize that it's up to us to set an example for our children. We also have to be more responsible and not let young kids be privy to adult conversations. Children don't need to hear all the details about certain things their parents discuss that they can't yet understand or decipher. And if all they hear are their parents gossiping and saying negative things about people that are friends or family, they will grow up to be the exact same way. Until children show respect at home, it’s unlikely they will show it anywhere else. Keep in mind that respect is not the same as obedience. Children might obey because they are afraid, but if they respect you, they will obey because they know you want what’s best for them. I think being respectful helps a child to succeed in life, it teaches them about integrity and with that comes confidence and higher self-esteem. If children don’t have respect for peers, authority, or themselves, it’s almost impossible for them to succeed. We need to look within ourselves and lead them by giving them and showing them positive examples. Our children are our future and we want the future to shine bright for them and for their kids as well. Here's a friendly reminder for the day, a little respect goes a long way.

Love 'N Joy!