3 Effective Ways to Teach Kids Respect Without Losing Your Self-Respect

Recognize that kids' disrespect is often a need to be seen or heard.

Everyone, including kids, has an innate need to feel seen, acknowledged, and heard.

But kids are immature

Kids want to be seen and heard but they don't have the emotional maturity to regulate their emotions or fully grasp the impact of what they say or do so they speak without a filter, talk back, hit, or act out in other disrespectful ways.

First, model respect

Kids learn more from what we do than what we say. Model respect to others and also model respect in your interactions with your child.

Second, listen to and reflect on what your child has to say

By truly listening to and reflecting on what your children says, it fulfills their desire to be seen and heard. Children are more willing to respect and cooperate with adults who fulfill this need.

Third, show your child empathy even when they're being difficult

Showing empathy also lets your child feel seen and heard. Discipline (teaching your child how to behave better) will be better received after showing empathy.

See 2 more ways to teach your kids how to be respectful + how to set your own personal boundaries.