How to Teach Good Habits
One of the main jobs parents inherit is that of teaching good habits to their children. Teaching is more than giving a set of rules. If parenting were that easy, there wouldn't be thousands of books written on the subject. Part of being a good parent is teaching good habits. Hopefully those good habits transfer to adulthood. This article will help you with that task. Instilling morality in your child often goes hand in hand with being a responsible person that behaves by showcasing good habits in his daily life.
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Instructions
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Be a model for your children. The term, "Do as I say, not as I do" is outrageous. Children learn first by watching. Parents are the most important role model in a child's life. Your children will copy what you do. Keep and live your life adhering to good habits, and they will likely eventually follow your lead.
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Sit your children down. Have a formal talk. Let them know what is expected from them. Once your children have reached an age where they understand explanations, sit them down and teach them good habits. For example, explain how they should brush their teeth every night before they go to bed and each morning to keep their gums healthy. This lets your children know that you will now expect this behavior from them. Explaining how the dentist will have to fill cavities can teach a solid consequence of what will happen if brushing is not done daily and properly.
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Read books that model the good habits you would like to create. Choose books at your local library that model good behavior. The book doesn't have to center around the good habit, but it should always incorporate the behavior into the story.
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Complete desired tasks together. Make good habits a family event. Brush your teeth together. Wash your hands together before supper. Have a quiet reading time before bed where everyone reads their own story.
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Repeat the desired behavior each and every day until it becomes second nature to your children. Repetition is key. The more your child goes through the actions of a good behavior, the more likely he will be to stick to that behavior.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of cramming rules down their throats, use positive praise when you catch your children doing something you like.
Don't use one child's undesirable behavior as an example of how not to act. Instead, redirect the attention to someone who is completing good habits and tasks.
