Inculcating good moral values in children (Greetings and Respect): My parenting story
Greetings my fellow parents, it's the beginning of a new week,I took some rest earlier today,after which I got my diary and drafted out how my new week will look like. I already know it's going to be a busy week for me and so I have taken my time to make adequate plans inorder to ensure a fruitful week at the end God's willing. I do hope you observed a relaxing weekend wherever you are.
Today, I bring to you my experience on these two morals (greetings and respect) I am working on in the life of my children. As parents, we don't run out of experiences that comes with our journey in nurturing the children. As day passes by and as my kids keep growing, I kept seeing different areas to work on inorder to raise responsible children. I want to be that parent that her children are outstanding, respectful , humble, etc. A lot of good morals are still work in progress for my kids but I know that with commitment, I will achieve a desired result in my parenting journey.
A random photo of me
When it comes to greetings, I start as early as my children start talking to teach and remind them to always greet both mummy and daddy and other adults in the house. The easiest moral they learn from age 2 is showing gratitude (saying thank you, which is fine). Still on greeting, When we visit relatives or they meet an adult out there,I will always remind them to greet. I feel it's also a way of showing respect to adults. In as much as I keep reminding them, it doesn't stick in their mind so easily and I understand that they are growing up kids and only being consistent on the teachings can make it stuck into their minds until this moral becomes part of them. Same thing goes with Respect, when they understand the importance of showing respect, they don't have to disrespect others in and out there, using bad words on people or showing disobedience when adults are giving them instructions .
The truth is that these morals must start at home before you can expect the child to extend it outside. I feel so much happy seeing little kids of 3, 4, 5, years showing respect to others , greeting elders without being told or reminded by anyone. I usually say in my mind that the parents of such children have done a good work at home. I don't know about other countries but here in Nigeria, greetings and respect are part of our culture that we hold in high esteem
In my place, when a child lacks this moral (greeting), many people always point fingers to the parents for not playing their role well. My grandmother once squeezed my mouth for failing to greet a visitor back then in my early childhood and I learnt my lesson. I could greet any human beings that enters our house to avoid falling into grandmother's wrath...lolz. At some point, it became part of me and same moral I am inculcating in my children as a parent.
These and other morals like showing kindness, telling the truth, showing gratitude, being polite, etc, are good morals we should instill in our kids at early age so they can easily adapt to it.
Seeing my kids showing respect to their teachers and other elders makes me a proud parent. My son of 7 years has been doing well on this but the one of 5 years is still struggling to get it right most times, though it's becoming part of him but not like his elder brother. My last child of one year plus has started talking a bit and we are already learning showing gratitude. On whatever I give him, I will teach him to say thank you, surprisenly , he says thank you most times on his own without me reminding him.
There are so many good morals necessary for we parents to inculcate in our children. No one should be overlooked. Their age should not even be an excuse provided they can grab whatever moral you are training them on. I have had an encounter with some mothers who think that greetings isn't necessary for children but in my opinion, it also shows respect. I am taking responsibility, making every effort in raising a child with good morals in our society today .
Thanks for your time in my blog today.
Please note: the first image is mine