268. Parental Behavior - Daily Dose of Wisdom

(A married couple asked for a blessing that their children behave properly. The Rebbe’s reply seems simple, but since I have not seen it in any parenting book I’m including it here. Sometimes the most obvious is also the most inconvenient -and therefore the most avoided:)

Behave yourselves properly. When the children see your example, they will naturally want to do the same as their parents. Then it is only a matter of talking with them, step by step, day after day, and eventually it will help.

« Previous

Punishment

Family Ties

Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.

More articles by Tzvi Freeman | RSS

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.

E-mail

Sort By:

NewestOldest

February 27, 2008

Easy Yet Hard

How many times have children heard "don't do as I do, do as I say"? Parents, at stressful times, don't always speak to their children respectfully, yet expect them to adopt respectful behavior. This simple piece of common sense advice places the responsibility in the parents' court.

How many parents would like to be spoken to as they speak to their children?

Hillel: "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."

Renee
Somerset, NJ

February 25, 2008

Parental Behavior

Simply put, lead by example!

Alex Ross
Avon Park, Fl.

February 25, 2008

I agree

Very good way to put it-some parrenting books say things similar but take longer and cost more (LOL)

I would also be sure to add that let the kids know you are human-if you wrong them appologize, and if you do something wrong and they find out be sure to let them know it was the wrong thing to do. Many parrents forget this.

Laura Mushkat
schenectady, new york

February 25, 2008

Parental Behavior

It is a wonderful comment, but it depends on the children wanting to follow the behavior of the parents ... suppose the issue is that the parents are divorced and one parent doesn't treat the other parent properly? If the children follow in the footsteps of one of the parents, their behavior in the end will not be proper ... and in any case, they cannot follow the example of both parents in a situation of conflict. How would the Rebbe's response differ in this situation?

Anonymous
Doylestown, PA