Where has respect gone? It seems to be a distant concept–something people did “back in the day”. Families don’t seem to have respect among themselves and the way I hear children talk to their parents, parents don’t seem to teach it either.
What’s happened? Children and young people do not seem to respect each other and show no respect toward the elderly and disabled. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like younger people do not have role models from whom to learn respect.
When I was growing up, respecting my family, especially my mother and grandmother, was as natural as breathing. I saw how my mother treated my grandmother and us four girls treated both mother and mama (our name for my grandmother) with the utmost respect and care.
We didn’t know it any other way. And I just have to say that if I had ever treated either one of them with lack of respect, well let’s just say being in “trouble” is putting it mildly. I’m smiling as I write this. In all seriousness, we didn’t know another way. We knew how to respect because we had good role models. And that plays the largest role in how I treat others.
Treat people the way you want to be treated. Talk to people the way you want to be talked to. Respect is earned, not given.
Respect has to be earned, but one of the ways you earn it as a parent is making sure that your children know that they should at all times respect you. And if they don’t, there should be serious consequences.
If you don’t insist that your child respect you, they will not learn to respect others. And they will not learn to respect themselves. It is give and take. You give respect and you take it when given back to you.
As parents we should treat everyone, including our own children, with respect and care. Our words, our voices, our tones should always be kind and respectful toward others. Only when you give respect, do you receive it back.
Sending you blessings of love and kindness from Sterrett, Alabama!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley
Thank you for this article. I was brought up respecting my parents and grandparents and brought up my children the same. Somehow, they have been very disrispctful towards me and when I say anything, Im the one that needs to respect them, not the other way around!
I’m sorry you are experiencing this. I am lifting you and your children up in prayer now.
God bless and keep you.
Charity
Ma’am I came across this at random but ; if I may , what you are experiencing with your children is called “gaslighting” they are malignant narcissists and everything they are doing to you they will project onto you . It’s all designed to get an extreme reaction out of you for their sadistic enjoyment . You must learn how you react to them at all times. I suggest respectfully that you research the flat gray rock method and detachment . This is a difficult personality to deal with but you can do it . Set firm boundaries and never back down if they are crossed . May God guide your footsteps as you traverse this rocky road .
I can honestly say that my two Sisters, my Brother and I were brought up to respect, not only our Parents and Grandparents, all of our older relatives and authoritative figures, such as teachers, policemen and all older persons, actually. I was always shocked at the behaviour of some of the children at school and adults as well. In later years I was asked to be a Sunday School teacher and I respectfully declined as I knew I would not be able to calmly accept any signs of insolence. Good manners seem to be a thing of the past as well. I certainly have my faults but I am pleased to know that lack of respect is not one of them.
I agree with you. It’s all in how we were raised.
Thank you for being here.
Charity