Our Best Role Models

Writen by Kadence Buchanan

There's no doubt about it. Parents are still the best and ideal role model for their kids. The mass media, particularly television and the movies, may foist and anoint some well-known celebrities as positive role models for children, but most people would rather have parents serve as the premier role models of their kids. Here are some tips to help parents on becoming a good role model.

1. Show your love and concern Kids need to be nurtured and the best way to nurture our children is to feed their bodies as well as their hearts and minds. Always make it a point to show your love and concern. There's nothing wrong with telling your kids that you love them every day. Take the time to be physically intimate as well by giving them a nice hug or a warm kiss every once in a while. Make time for special family outings and activities despite your busy schedule. And since your kids care about their friends, make sure that your kids know that you care about their friends as well. Always have a welcoming home. It will be a good idea to establish some kind of rapport with your children's friends.

2. Make an effort to be understanding There's a saying that goes, "Understand - don't take a stand," and it captures the essence of understanding. It means you don't confront your kids when they make a mistake or fall short of your expectations. Instead, you make an effort to understand what went wrong. Children are human too and will certainly commit their share of mistakes. Recall how you felt when your parents castigated you too much for making a mistake. You wouldn't want to put your kids through that, would you?

3. Listen In any good relationship, communication is crucial and perhaps none more so when it involves parents and their children. Always remember that communication is a two-way street. If you want them to listen to you, it is only right that you listen to them. Besides, establishing a relationship of open communication puts you in the best possible position to know when there is anything at all that's bothering your kids.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Family, Kids And Teens, and Society