Tolerance as an example to educate in respect

We always talk about how, as parents, we want tolerance, that our decisions regarding our children are respected. Just as we want your feelings and wishes to be respected. But respect begins with oneself, so it is essential to educate using tolerance as an example.

You can't make anyone respect you if you don't start by respecting their opinions and actions. In the same way, your children will not respect you if you are not able to put yourself in their place, understand them and respect their way of being and thinking.

What is tolerance and why is it so important?

Tolerance is the ability to accept ideas other than your own. It is the attitude we take towards values ​​different from ours. This in itself is the fundamental basis of respect and that is why it is important that you are so so that you have a good example.

It will not do any good if you tell them that they should accept the opinions of others, if they see you judge another for a certain attitude or action that you do not understand. This will not help convey the idea you intend to instill.

Children do not learn from your words, consciously or unconsciously, they can inherit learned behaviors from their parents. If your example is the right one, your child will be a tolerant person with others. This not only implies respecting people in general, it implies above all, respecting your child.

Respect starts with oneself

The first thing to keep in mind to really convey an example of tolerance and respect is that the first person to be respected is yourself. The secret of tolerance is to be consistent with your own ideas, without defeating those of others.

Being tolerant and respectful is not constantly changing your mind depending on who you talk to. It is being able to talk to people who have a different way of life than you without offending them. If someone is a vegetarian and tells you that they want to educate their children on that, but you think it is detrimental to their health, you can tell them in a good way that they should consult a doctor or dietitian if it is a recommended diet for their development or at what age I could start.

You should not give anyone the reason "for education" if they are ideas contrary to yours, because you are disrespecting yourself. In no case is it an example of tolerance to tell or make that person feel in front of your child that their opinion is less valid than yours or vice versa. You must understand that both opinions are valid in the same way. The best example is that your child understands that there is diversity, that everyone has their own opinion.

Tolerance and respect for your child

Your tolerance for others has to include your child. That is, you must respect their ideas, their opinions, and their actions. This does not imply that you never scold him, he is learning and he must know how to distinguish when he is not doing things well. However, they need to know that you understand their feelings and that you respect them.

In case your child does not understand why another child wears a different hairstyle and makes fun of him, you need to tell him that he should not make fun of him for having a different hairstyle, but that you understand that it could seem like a funny hairstyle. You have to feel that you have the right to show your feelings, in the same way that you must teach him to express them in a respectful way with the rest.

The need to educate in tolerance to create a diverse society

We live in an individualistic world where everyone knows the right to be oneself. But it is also a world in which people have a tendency to judge under a hasty impression. This makes it necessary to educate our children in tolerance.

This is not just for your own good and development benefit. This lies above all in their emotional stability and the reinforcement of their self-esteem. It is also important to contribute our bit in a better society for its future.