The generation of tomorrow is molded by the adults of today. If you want your children and those around you to succeed, you must set an example. Being a positive role model is not an easy job, especially when considering your kids are always watching you.
They see you when you’re upset and tell off the clerk at the grocery store, and they’re watching when you tell that little white lie to your boss. The best thing you can do for the future generation is to set a good example for them to follow. After all, you do want to shape your children’s future positively.
Twenty Ways to Become a Positive Role Model for Children
You have a big responsibility to mold and shape the world’s future, but it can all begin with the little things you do each day. Here are some ways to be a positive role model, and many you will do without even noticing.
1. A Positive Role Model Is an Excellent Listener
Sure, you’re busy, and there are not enough hours in the day. However, it would help if you make time for those important to you. Take a moment out of your busy day to listen and truly hear and understand what these little ones say to you.
If you brush them off in haste, they will think that’s an acceptable way to communicate. There’s nothing more important than your kids, so give them a little bit of your time.
2. A Positive Role Model Understands Expressing Affection
Never let one day go by that you don’t tell your children how much you love them. Even if you’re not an overly emotional person, they need to hear that you care about them. Sure, they already know, but there’s something powerful about speaking it to your kids that makes a difference.
3. Encourage Them
Often, adults look at a child’s problems and feel they’re not significant. However, their minor issues are massive in their life. Take time to encourage your child when they’re down, and never downplay their problems.
Just like you, sometimes they need someone who will pat them on the back and tell them to keep going. Don’t ever trivialize their issues as they’re just as important as yours.
4. Positive Role Models Should Be Optimistic About Life
Your children will mirror your emotions, and they can feel when you’re full of negativity and downtrodden. It’s up to you to remain positive to set the tone for your home. Sure, you had a bad day at work, you’re exhausted, and you wish you could run away on occasion, but you can’t ever let your children see these things.
Instead, they need to a see a parent that doesn’t stop no matter what life throws at them, and they will learn to mimic these actions.
5. Watch Your Tone
Your tone means everything when it comes to being a positive role model. Never yell at your children or use a hateful tone with them, as it’s offensive. You can say the same sentence with a different tone, and it will have a whole different meaning.
6. Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Do your children see you eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep; then they will think these are good habits for life. However, if they see you binging on junk food, lying on the couch for hours, and not getting out and enjoying Mother Nature, they will think this is the way of life. Bad habits are learned, and you need to show your kids positivity by living healthy.
7. Be Involved in Their Life
Be an active part of your children’s life. If there’s a play they’re involved in at school, you need to be there. Show up for the little things, and when the roles reverse, they will be there for you. Parents always wonder where the years went with their kids.
However, as grown adults, your kids won’t stray too far from you if you show up for them when they’re younger.
8. Be a Positive Role Model by Setting Goals
As adults, you set goals every day, but you should learn to set them as a family. Children need to see you crushing your goals so they can learn the value of reaching your dreams.
There’s no reason they can’t set goals and things they aspire to be and knock them out of the park. Their age doesn’t matter, as they can become goal-oriented early on.
9. Never Give in to Peer Pressure
Even adults face challenges and peer pressure. However, remember your children are watching you. They won’t forget those times when you do less than honorable things. Make sure you stand up for yourself and don’t fall for anything.
10. Live a Moral Life
Being a moral person is an excellent way to spread positivity to your kids. If they see you smoking, using excessive alcohol, and engaging in other harmful things, they will think this is acceptable behavior.
11. Never Raise a Hand to Them
According to studies conducted by Harvard University, spanking your child can have detrimental effects. Not only can it make them more prone to developing mental illness, but it can also affect their mental development. Some experts say that spanking is an adult temper tantrum. Learn to discipline your child without resorting to violent measures.
12. Have Fun and Smile Often
Your kids might remember how hard of a worker you were during their youth, but they will more so remember the times you had fun with them. Never miss the opportunity to laugh with your kid. The world is hard enough, but they need to see you smile, laugh, and enjoy life.
13. Be Present in the Moment
What does being present mean to your child? It means that they will learn from you how to live each day to the fullest. They will learn to tune out the negativity of the world around them and enjoy the freshly bloomed bush outside their window.
They will notice the bird in the tree singing a beautiful song. One of the most incredible things you can do for your children is teaching them to be present.
14. Be a More Positive Role Model by Displaying Kind ness
When you show compassion to others, your children are watching. When you volunteer at a food pantry, buy a meal for a homeless person, or take gifts to a child who wouldn’t have a Christmas, your kids are watching. When you’re kind to others, they will see that this is an acceptable way to live life.
15. Don’t Go Overboard
Some parents want to be a good example so severely that they go overboard with their attempts. While you need to be conscious of your efforts, you must keep things in perspective. You don’t want to smother your children with lessons while trying to be a positive role model and come across as fake.
16. Show Them Stability
While children want your love and affection, having stability in their life is of the utmost importance. According to How to Adult, they state that it’s been discovered that stability is the backbone of a child’s life through research. A lack of structure can cause behavioral issues, anxiety, and health concerns when there’s a lack of structure.
17. Be a Positive Role Model by Displaying and Encouraging Good Behavior
When your kids do something good, praise them for it. When they get a good grade on a stern test, reward them. There’s nothing wrong with rewarding good behavior and punishing evil. However, it’s better to make a big deal about those shining moments as they will outshine all those that aren’t so good.
18. Mentor Them
Remember that your goal is to raise your kids to be good human beings. Why not take them to work with you on occasion? Let them see what you do and how you interact in the business world to get a sense of life after graduation.
19. Be Honest
It’s easy to tell children things to get them to quiet down or get them to let you have peace. However, you must be honest with them above all else. Never let your children think it’s acceptable to lie to those you love.
20. Walk the Walk as You Grow Into a Positive Role Model
Above all else, make sure you practice what you preach. Don’t show them that you say one thing and do another. You must walk the walk if you expect them to do the same.
Final Thoughts on Being a Positive Role Model for Children
Being a good role model is essential to your children and the children around you. Family members like aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents have a crucial role in developing a child. Molding the future generation is not easy, but the job becomes much easier when everyone works together.
A positive role model is in tune with their limits and strengths. They’re not afraid to be vulnerable, but they also know how to shine. They are never too busy to listen and communicate with a little one, and they’re always there with a smile and helping hand.
Children learn more about you by observing rather than hearing you tell them what to do. Make sure your example is consistent and unwavering. Just remember that those little eyes and ears are watching and listening the next time you start to lose your cool.
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