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As parents, we think about what we want for our kids all the time. We want them to be successful, happy and healthy. But underrated skills and values like humility, take a backseat as they grow. And it’s only when they say something out of hand, or act arrogantly that we realize our mistake. Humility is actually something you teach your kids from day one. After all, none of us are owed anything from the world. And we all have something we can learn from each other. So the ability to discuss one’s successes and state their options, while still making room for other people’s opinions and actively learning more about them is important. It’s how you grow and unlock a new level in life. People may envy those with success but they respect those with humility and success. So, if you’d like your child to grow up humble and respected without being a pushover, then this is the article for you. Read on to know all our top tips!
1. Model Humility
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As always, showing your child how to do something instead of simply telling them what to do is the most important thing to do. Values like humility come to those who see their parents exhibit the quality. You cannot effectively teach your child how to be humble if you are not humble yourself. But to model humility, one must also be self assured and confident. Most people faultfully understand humble people to be people pleasers and pushovers.
But this is the farthest thing from the truth. You cannot be humble without being confident. It is the lack of confidence that leads to narcissism and arrogance. So, teach your kids to be confident in their abilities but to also be humble about them at the same time. Kids pick up on humility a lot sooner when they don’t constantly feel the need to prove themselves. This means, as a parent you admit when your child is right and have the humility to apologize when you are wrong.
2. Get Your Kids Involved In Service
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Most of our kids are sheltered and extremely privileged in ways that they may not even know. It is your job as a parent to open their eyes to the not-so-rosy sights of the world and show them ways in which they can help out and contribute. Whether it’s a job or volunteer work for a good cause, kids learn humility through these experiences automatically. Serving others and being selfless teaches children profound life lessons that parents may not be able to do single handedly. Doing things that are service orientated teaches gratitude and humility at the same time. For kids, their first volunteer work causes a huge shift in how they perceive the world and introduces them to people from all walks of life. Learning to reach out and give help to those in need helps them appreciate everything they have that much more.
3. Use Media As A Tool
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A great way to teach your kids humility is to point out the trait in their favorite characters from movies and shows. You could hit the pause button to discuss what’s happening on the screen in detail. It’s also a great way to point out undesirable behaviors. Like when you see a bully on the screen hit pause and ask your child if what they bully is doing is okay and how everyone else might feel about it. There’s no need to launch into a lecture, after they’ve answered you, they can go back to watching the show. But it’s a good lesson that will stay in their mind the next time they want to do something nasty or make someone feel bad.
4. Don’t Lecture
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Doing a monologue is not going to teach your kids humility. So as tempting as it is to launch into a lecture, refrain from doing so. Instead, find things to discuss. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a particularly politically inclined family. Talk about current affairs or movies. Discuss what an important politician said and why it doesn’t sit right with people. Teach them how to reason and when to take people’s feelings into account. If there’s something about a movie that made them feel uncomfortable or sad, ask them what it was. Kids are astute and become great conversationalists at a young age. They want to have engaging conversations that open their minds to new ways of thinking. So, something like a lecture will fall on deaf ears.
Teaching your kids how to be humble doesn’t have to be tough or challenging. With a few mindful steps, you can raise a child who is confident, humble and capable. All it takes is some time, patience and practice!
