How Can We Set a Good Example to Our Children?

When you bring a child into the world, there’s a lot of pressure to do things right. We all want our children to grow up happy, healthy and productive members of society, and the way we raise them when they’re little has a huge impact on what their thoughts and views, personality and goals are likely to be later on.

None of us are working to a rule book, and when it comes to parenting we’re all just winging it and doing the best we can.

This isn’t to say any of us need to be perfect because perfection doesn’t exist, however, there are a few things within our control that can set a good example to our children. Here are some examples. 

Eat well

We’re in the midst of an obesity epidemic. Sedentary jobs combined with easy access to cheap, tasty and unhealthy food really is a recipe for disaster, and so many people end up on this unhealthy path.

One thing you can do to give your children the best start as well as promote good attitudes towards health is to encourage a love of healthy food. Kids are picky but if you start them young it’s much easier to incorporate many fruits and veggies into their diet.

Use a food processor to finely chop vegetables, mix with ground meat and you have a base for all kinds of meals. Blend fruit and yoghurt into smoothies or pop the mixture into ice lolly moulds for real fruit icey treats.

Make exercise fun so kids are used to being active from a young age, with the hope that this will continue into adulthood. If you eat well and keep active yourself, you set a good example for your children.

Chances are they will go through fussy phases, but eventually they’re likely to mirror your behaviour. Make family dinners a proper affair in your household, lay the table and get everyone eating home cooked dinners together. 

Work hard

Working hard doesn’t necessarily mean going out to work, as every household’s situation is different and it’s not possible for everyone. I mean just look at our family in the last six years. I can’t believe that for the last six year I’ve been working from the comfort of my home!

However, working hard in what you put your mind to is something that children will learn from, so let them see you try hard and not give up. If you want to earn money but need to be at home, how about starting up a home business that you can run in your spare time?

Software programs can make light work of certain tasks these days, for example Jumio identity verification and authentication solutions can verify your customers in real time. Accounting software can quickly and easily add up your expenses and profits making your tax return a doddle. 

Be polite and respectful to others

We all want our children to grow up being polite and respectful, they’re important qualities to have and are crucial for getting through life successfully.

A lot of your children’s attitudes and the way they learn to speak to and socialise with others will come from you.

Your children are much more observant than you might think, if you want them to be polite then make sure you’re being polite yourself, whether it’s to a stranger at the bus stop or a waiter in a cafe.