5 Rules for Teaching Your Kids Respect

If you've been searching for a truly powerful way to get your kids to communicate with respect, now is the time to make it happen. Let the family meeting rules guide you. Look inside to find out how.

Let's pretend your kids, Jack and Jessica, bring up the problem Jack's having with the bully next door. As a family, gather around the table to discuss it .The family meeting rules will help you.

First Rule - Listen with Respect:

You and your children must listen without interrupting. The next speaker repeats what the first speaker said before offering his own thoughts.

Let's say your Jack is afraid of the neighbor boy.  He's big. He's loud, and he makes fun of Jack in front of all the other children. He calls Jack "shrimp" and "fatso." Jack runs home in tears while all the kids laugh at him, except Jessica. She runs home to be with Jack.

Imagine Jack actually listening to Jessica's ideas about the bully. Jack will even prove it by repeating her thoughts.

Can you see Jessica, your chatter box, give a brief explanation of her thoughts? As parents, you guide your children to listen, take turns, and follow President Franklin Roosevelt's advice, "Be sincere, be brief; be seated."

Consider pointing to a sign which says: "Listen!  Repeat! Be brief!" You'll never need to nag when they break the communication rules. You'll just point to the sign.

Give every family member a turn to express what they know about the bully.  Find out what they think needs to be done. You'll learn important information.

Watch Jessica as she silently looks at Jack while all the members listen to him speak. You've taught her to be respectful by letting him finish his thoughts.

Conclusion ~ Respectful Communication within the Family:

How do the above rules teach your children to communicate with respect? Kids keep quiet while another member speaks. They learn to listen. They briefly repeat in their own words what the member before them said. Then they take their turn to speak. They express themselves with few words. How respectful is that?

Of course, you will need to decide whether to step in or let the children handle the problem. Maybe you'll talk with the bully or with his parents. Maybe the school authorities will need to help. It's your decision.

» left by Brianna Popsickle

2 years 83 days ago.

I think it's a wonderful idea to have a family dialogue when someone is experiencing difficulty. Kids need to know they have the support of their parents and siblings. Good advice Jean.

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» left by Jean Tracy, MSS from Edmonds, WA 2 years 83 days ago.

Thanks, Brianna. It's good to hear from you and, of course, I enjoy your comments.

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» left by Linda DeWitt 2 years 83 days ago.
67 fans. Follow Linda DeWitt on twitter!

Good advice. Great tools for learning to live life and respect other people.

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» left by Jean Tracy 2 years 82 days ago.
13 fans.

Thanks, Linda. With families so busy today, I believe the Family Meeting is an excellent way to promote family life and give children the guidance they need.

 

Your comment means a lot.

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