When you become a parent, you become the most important person in the world to that child. The trouble is, children aren’t born with instruction manuals. Here are a few things to avoid teaching your children by mistake.
Teaching them to lie
If you don’t want your child to lie, don’t make them lie for you. Expecting them to say you’re not at home when someone calls and you actually are there is turning them into little liars for you.
Instead, teach them to say things like “my Dad can’t come to the phone at the moment. Can I ask her to call you back later on?”
Encouraging an attitude of entitlement
An entitled person isn’t pleasant to be around. That’s why it’s important to avoid teaching children that it’s perfectly acceptable to have an attitude of entitlement.
If you allow them to cut in line, for example, you are teaching them that it’s okay for them to break the rules, but not for others. Instead, teach your child to wait in line just like everyone else.
Encouraging bad behavior
If you laugh at or encourage bad behavior in a child, chances are that he or she will turn into a bully who people will want to avoid.