Kids always look up to someone who helps them shape their attitudes and beliefs towards life. As kids spend most of their time with their parents, parents become role models. For some their caregiver can be a role model. For some, their grandparents or any celebrity can be a role model.

Parents must talk about what role models are and how a child should choose them. parents should talk about-

1.Ask their child who is his/her role model.

2.Ask them what qualities does he/she likes about his role model.

3.Share their own stories of role models.

4.Tell that every person has good and bad qualities, but it is important to learn to apologize and learn from mistakes.

5.Give examples of positive and healthy ways to handle situations.

6.Encourage the child to have positive role models.

Parents as a Role model

Why parents have to be a good role model?

●Parents are the ones with who the child spends most of the time.

●Your choice or opinions about sports, academics impacts your child's choices.

●What type of friends you have, how you act with them, your friendship attitude, influence their perspective about friendship.

●How you treat people around you is the way they learn to treat people.

●Your lifestyle choices influence your child's lifestyle too.

How parents can become a good role model for their child?

●Start role modeling at an early stage: It is important to become a role model at an early stage of life. At an early stage, it is important to inculcate good values and build a belief system in your child. Take baby steps from the beginning instead of teaching good things in the latter part of life. Becoming a good role model for your child at a very initial stage will build a positive personality for your child.

●Share your life story: Share your story, your happy moments, your sad parts, how did you overcome difficult situations in life. It is important for your child to know the real you. Learning from your mistakes and taking a positive attitude of yours is important. Your experience can be a learning example for the child.

●Be positive and encouraging: Every child has some unique quality. Parents must show a positive and encouraging outlook towards it. a child observes how their parents react in a tough situation and adopts the same thing. Parents should show a positive attitude. It does not mean to be unrealistic or keep the child in delusion or expect something which is beyond their capability or capacity. Unnecessary pressure has a negative impact.

●Show affection: Showing love is the best way to nurture and bring up a positive and happy child. Not just buying clothes or feeding your child with hands, or buying expensive things is showing love. Just your presence in their lives and being there for them is important as it boosts their confidence and self-esteem.

●Be a good listener: Kids have a lot to share with their parents. Parents should take out time and listen to what their kids want to share. Being a good listener, understanding what the other person is trying to say, is a good habit that parents should practice in front of kids. Listening with patience and not interrupting in between. Kids wanted to be heard.

●Forgive mistakes: Parents should teach kids that nobody is perfect and they should learn to forgive others when others genuinely apologize for their mistakes. This starts when parents forgive their child when their child makes and mistake and apologize for it wholeheartedly

●Set goals: Having a goal, ambition in life is important to make your own identity. Parents should encourage their children to come forward with their dreams and aspirations and help them achieve them together.

●Be careful about your tone: Children value the words and tone in which their parents talk. Shouting or yelling in front of children to express your point of view will only show your negative image. Expressing yourself calmly and gently will have a positive impact and children look up to that kind of attitude. If as parents, you will shout and scream, your child is going to learn that.

●Become a better version of yourself: As you are the first person your child looks up to, it is important to strive for a better version of yourself in front of goods. Your actions and words have a huge impact on the child. Parents come first to who the child looks up for inspiration.

●Do not go overboard with the attempt: Sometimes parents go overboard in terms of showing extra love or pamper or praising their child which makes a child feel uncomfortable. Showing extra sweetness is also not good. It is important to show your genuine intentions to your kids. Keep it simple and real. Kids appreciate it.

●Have a clear set of values: Practice what you believe and what your values are. Setting a belief system and inculcating values in the child is important. The child should learn from their parents how to act and react according to their belief systems and values. What is morally right or wrong, children learn from their parents.

●Teach selflessness and accepting others:   Children admire the quality of being selfless and accepting people of different backgrounds. For example, if the child sees that their parents do not judge people or put any social barriers. The child adopts it. helping people without expecting anything in return is something parents should practice in front of their children.

●Show ability to handle tough situations: Avoiding or running away from situations is not a way to solve a problem. How bravely and with a positive approach one can tackle any tough situation. Parents as good role models should teach children how to handle tricky situations. Children admire people who show that success is possible.