I find it much easier to remain calm and respectful if I remove myself from the situation. Providing good role models, and avoiding poor ones, for speaking respectfully is essential in addressing this issue. Respect begets respect. Remember that children are not as sophisticated in their ability to compartmentalize their lives as adults. What goes on at home affects their performance at school and vice versa.
Kids do best when their lives are stable, dependable, and largely predictable.
The tone you set during these early school years will have implications for the rest of their educational career. This is a critical period if our goal is for them to become lifelong learners. Carolyn C. Waterbury-Tieman is a parent educator and certified marriage and family therapist who has been in practice for over 10 years. She is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Inc. All rights reserved.