Good Parents Have Good Children

They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. That’s because children pattern their behavior and actions after their parent’s behavior and actions. Good parents typically have good children because they have taught them, through their good examples and teachings, how they should live.

Mothers and fathers have the responsibility of being good examples for their children. It isn’t enough to tell them what to do and how to act. Good parents need to be what they would have their children to be. Some lessons, such as integrity and virtue, can only be taught in this way.

Good parents teach their children strong morals, good manners, and how to be responsible and productive citizens. Again, most of this is taught through example, but explaining the necessity of these things alongside of living them teaches children not only how to live, but why they should live a particular way. Work-ethic is a good example of this. Children can see their parents’ work-ethic in action, and as they watch and learn, parents can explain to them the importance of a good work-ethic.

Good parents are their children’s allies. They align themselves with their children and have a united front. A child needs to know that they can turn to their parents when the need arises, and it is much easier to talk to an ally than someone who they don’t feel a connection with. Being an ally is not the same as being a friend.

Good parents are not friends or “buddies” with their children. They are their parents. When a parent befriends their child, it can be very harmful to the child’s character. It is a quick way to lose the respect of that child. It also leaves the child somewhat of an orphan since now all he or she has is friends and no parents.

Good parents do not bully their children. There is a big “anti-bully” movement right now in the school systems. We should all implement anti-bullying movements in our homes! A parent bullies their child when they intimidate them into doing things, or practice unrealistic dominion over their children. So if children learn by example, and their example is bullying them in their own home, what are these children actually learning? They are learning that the way to get what they want is through intimidation as opposed to through earning it.

Just as good parents aren’t their children’s friends, they shouldn’t be their children’s critics, either. Criticizing children is not conducive to building character or morale. It can make a child feel insecure and unloved. Being overly critical of your child teaches the child to be overly critical of others, as well.

The home should be a safe place – a refuge from the world where a child has a good example to follow, proper teachings being put into place, support, and love. Good parents provide these things without bullying and criticizing their children. Children that come from homes with good parents become well-adjusted citizens, and good parents themselves.