Nanny to Mommy

Some parents may never realize it, but their kids are usually more observant than anybody else close to them. They don't seem to miss anything. Also, they can detect your emotional patterns, including the current mood you're in. If you have fights with your spouse, your children could easily see and sense the changes in your emotional well-being. They may also notice the smallest changes in relationships you have with your neighbors and friends.

Because of these examples, your children must learn positive and good values from your relationships, which will also impact how they'll handle theirs. Sometimes a typical pattern exists among family generations, and the descendants tend to follow such relationship patterns.

It's natural for your kids and teens to observe and follow your actions, down to the smallest details. Your stress management abilities are evident to them. All that information is stored in their memory for years to come. It's essential to set a positive example for your children even when you don't think they're paying attention.

Like asking basic questions for photographers during important events, you must also ask yourself a given question: Do you know how to play a positive role in developing your child's relationships with other people? Here are some things children learn from their parents' adult relationships:

Everybody wants their kids to be kind to others. The best way to achieve this goal is to model respect and empathy by applying such values yourself. Don't be disrespectful to anyone, and eventually, your kids will do the same.

It would also help if your kids witness your acts of being empathetic and compassionate towards others. Discuss your experiences and teach them how important it is to consider other people's feelings. Inculcating the value of empathy to your children will prevent them from bullying their classmates and peers.

Always maintain polite conversations with cashiers in stores and restaurant waitresses; they'll absorb that act in no time. Before long, your kids will also be saying please and thanks to people when the situation allows.

Do not overlook social skills and emotional support. Children need to know how to greet strangers and ask questions politely when they need to. Invite them to meet new people and participate in group activities. Team sports are essential for kids, so let them join one.

Moreover, exhibit what you would do if you were frustrated or sad because of someone. Try to make your emotions visible to them and encourage your kids to do the same whenever they’re worried, stressed, or happy about something.

You need to cultivate respect and care in your relationships for your child to build the same kind of relationships with others, too. If you encounter disrespectful behavior from someone you're close to, exhibit effective ways to handle it. It would also help if you were assertive enough to communicate openly with that person. Another effective option is to do relationship counseling.

You can also defend yourself respectfully. This is somewhat similar to saying 'no' politely. Teach your kids the importance of refusing sometimes. Through this, your children won't even try to harbor toxic and fake relationships with people they don't get along with.

You and your family should regularly volunteer within your community. Teach your children the value of volunteering. Building a solid family unit, teamwork skills, and most of all, a generous and serving heart. These are just a few of the most important benefits of this activity.

Moreover, they become aware of the importance of caring for others, aside from themselves. Volunteering in schools, participating in local clean-up projects, or donating food to the food pantry are ways to demonstrate to your children the importance of giving back to the world. The more they help others, even in the slightest ways, the more they'll appreciate their blessings in life.

In handling your adult relationships, the concept of giving and taking is not new. However, before you can give more to others, you also have to be kind to yourself. Always keep self-improvement in mind. Take on new challenges and never hinder yourself from growing. This will positively impact your children to do the same. They'll learn how to evaluate themselves first and finally improve for their own sake and the people they love.

Being a parent is about molding your children into good, honest, respectful, and kind people. Most often than not, the simplest way to do this is to show them how you handle your relationships with the people around you. The things mentioned above are values and skills that your children can learn from you, so help them acquire these by being a good example.