Respecting a Child Teaches Respect

“Respecting a child teaches them that even the smallest, most powerless, most vulnerable person is worthy of respect. And that is a lesson our world desperately needs to learn.”- L.R. Knost

What does it look like to respect a child? 

Listen to them.

Ask their opinion.

Consider their desires even if we can’t oblige them.

Acknowledge their feelings.

Treat them as important and valued. 

See them as individuals. 

Speak kindly even when we are upset. 

Don’t use our size to overpower them or use force to get what we want.

Don’t use what they love against them (consequences)

Guess what? All of these things are part of what we practice in peaceful parenting. They aren’t just parenting principles though. They are relationship principles.

Think about how different the world would be if all children were raised with respect. It’s slow change but we ARE changing the world.