5 Ways to Demonstrate Honor to Your Kids

Felice Gerwitz is a wife, mother of five graduated homeschoolers, and grandma to eight. She began Media Angels® Publishing while pregnant with her third child and went on to write and produce many books and online conferences. Felice is the founder of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network and the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network. Felice invites you to join her on her show Vintage Homeschool Moms, celebrating its 400^th episode!

What is fairness, honor, and rights, and how does it apply to your family? These days that concept is at the top of the list of many conversations. Recently we suffered and many are still suffering over the effects of an illness. Our children are watching us very closely—why is this? Because we are all home together. 

Staying home isn’t a big deal for those who already homeschool, but for others, it has come as a shock. The adjustment has been tinged with the fear of the unknown, but one thing has become evident. People are showing their true selves, and it isn’t pretty. Our kids see us and act accordingly.

So, how do we fight our inclinations, especially in times of stress in order to demonstrate these qualities to our children? It’s not easy, but anything worthwhile takes work.

Here are my top five ways to demonstrate honor to your kids:

1. Demonstrate Respect

Look for situations that allow you to demonstrate this, for example, in the grocery store, letting the person with eleven items go ahead of you (since the line for ten items is long). Or, holding the door for the person following you. Your spouse can open your car door, and you can thank him with a kiss! That shows your children you care about each other. Simple ways are best. You don’t need lavish displays of respect, but there are so many ideas you can come up with as a family.

2. Lift Up Others

Thinking the best of others and encouraging each other in a manner that shows you care. Remember to catch your children doing what is right. I once overheard a three-year-old child ask her mom if she brought her sippy cup. The mother responded that she had forgotten, and the child answered, “Well, that wasn’t thinking of others!” We all refrained from laughing, but the child stated something this mother had encouraged, “think of others.” If a little child can grasp this concept, older children can as well, but we must use our words to lift-up rather than tear down.

3. Forgive Others

The greatest way to show your child a sense of what is honorable is to forgive or ask for forgiveness, especially in times when you may have lost your temper or they have lost theirs. Holding grudges only hurts us not the other person we are upset with, and asking for forgiveness is actually Biblical.

4. Show Kindness 

Honorable people tend to be kind and just. They act the same way at home as they act out in public. Kindness doesn’t necessarily expect appreciation or payback. We demonstrate kindness because we care.

5. Show Appreciation

How do we show others appreciation for who they are and their special gifts? It is easy to do if you have only one child, but for those with multiples, it becomes harder. Some examples are saying phrases such as, “You are special to me,” and “I’m so happy God gave me you!” Be sure to look for opportunities when this fits!

FREE Character Counts Planner:

If you need help with ideas and ways to demonstrate this, my latest Character Counts Planner is on the topic of justice and honor. I create a Character Counts Planner each month with a new theme. These character studies give you a plan to teach your children about the themed character trait of that month. It includes lots of free printables and studies on that character trait, as well as family activities. It will be delivered to your inbox each month when you sign up for our email newsletter. 

You can get new planners that change each month by subscribing to my eZine at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 

Felice Gerwitz is a wife, mother of five graduated homeschoolers, and grandma to eight. She began Media Angels® Publishing while pregnant with her third child and went on to write and produce many books and online conferences. Felice is the founder of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network and the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network. Felice invites you to join her on her show Vintage Homeschool Moms, celebrating its 400^th episode!