To learn more we asked Patricia R. Adson, a licensed psychologist and author of A Princess and Her Garden: A Fable of Awakening and Arrival (Lone Oak Press, 2000) for her insights into how to teach children good relationship habits.
"From the relationships around them, children learn how they feel about themselves, how to treat other people and how to get what they need and want in life," says Adson. "Bad early relationships can leave lasting impressions on the child's brain that can be hard and often impossible to change in later life." Here are some tips on how to be positive role models for your kids.
1. Avoid undermining each other
One of the best ways to ensure that you and your spouse are positive relationship role models is to avoid unnecessary conflict in the presence of your children. "Discuss parental matters with each other and agree on the ground rules of acceptable behaviour in your home," Adson advises. "Agree not to undermine each other's decisions and show your kids how to disagree without being disagreeable."
You and your spouse may not agree all the time, and that's normal. But the way that you handle your differences can have a big impact on your children and how they learn to handle conflict.
2. Ensure you're on the same page
Adson also suggests developing additional ground rules about what should and should not be discussed with your children. This is something that will change as your kids grow older, but there are some issues that should just not be shared with the children, she says. Decide as a couple what is safe for your kids' ears and what isn't -- and be consistent.
"Although families should function with some degree of participation by all, a family is not a democracy. In the end, the parents have to keep in mind that they are the parents and their responsibilities are greater than those of the children," says Adson.
Page 1 of 2 -- Discover the importance of keeping close family bonds on page 2
