Your kids are watching and observing you. They see how you treat their mother and when you do the opposite of what you say. They learn more by observing than by being told what to do because your actions speak louder than your words. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it beautifully: “Your actions speak so loudly that I can’t hear your words.” Our children notice when we do something that is inconsistent with what we are teaching them and its therefore important to actually do what we say is the right thing to do. Here are ten ways we can model good behaviour for them: Your Language It’s important to use civil language and to constantly watch the words that come out of our mouths. Remember our children are watching us and listening and they hear us. Be careful not to call other people names or curse if you don’t want your kids doing the same things. “How you talk to someone is just as important as the words that are used.” Your Tone How you talk to someone is just as important as the words that are used. Be careful to speak to your spouse and others with respect. Your Attitude Negativity breeds more negativity while positivity breeds more positivity. Have a positive attitude in your life even in the presence of difficulties, your child will grow up prepared to take on the world. Sometimes even the smallest attitude adjustment can go a long way. Your Manners Do you show respect for women when out in public and generally model good manners by being respectful and using kind words while in society? Your children will be little gentlemen and little ladies only if you model manners yourself. Your Confidence Exhibit confidence to your kids in doing what is good and right. Always do the right things for the right reasons and your kids will grow their confidence as well in doing what is right. Your Work Ethic Life isn’t just about entertaining ourselves and while it’s important to make merry, teach your children the necessity for work in everyone’s life. Get your kids involved in the chores and teach them the importance of hard work. Your Discipline Show your children the discipline of always completing any task you have started? Stick with a task until it is complete and your kids will hopefully do the same. Your Forgiveness We all make mistakes. Are you modelling the Father’s forgiveness for your children? And do you apologize when you are in the wrong? When you forgive your children for mistakes they make and also apologise to them when you are in the wrong, your children also adopt the need for forgiveness and will be ready to say sorry to others if they wrong them. Your Shelter Are you someone your kids know they can run to when they’re having a rainy day or do you leave them out in the storm to fend for themselves? Your children must trust you and know they can rely on you to be there for them under whatever circumstances otherwise you may regret when they trust their peers or others who may not have their best interests at heart. Your Love The greatest gift you can give your children is love. Be a model of love to your kids. Show and tell your children that they mean the world to you. They will learn to love the way that you do.