| We all wish that our children should not | | | | locked room. If your spouse is around, the |
| smoke or drink, should not speak lies, should | | | | better.Don't use foul language in front of |
| not steal, should not have a violent nature, | | | | children. As I mentioned earlier, children |
| etc... but are we setting a good example | | | | try to imitate you. If you come across a |
| ourselves?Just yesterday, I was at a friend's | | | | reckless driver and let off steam be careful |
| place and his daughter came running up to us | | | | with your words. Your child is listening. |
| with her school calendar and asked him to put | | | | Never ever use foul language with your spouse |
| a remark for being absent for school. They | | | | and don't abuse him / her, at least not in |
| had been to a close relative's wedding and my | | | | front of your children. I know, we all have |
| friend merely wrote "Stomach Pain" and signed | | | | our problems and married life (or any other |
| the calendar. Aren't you indirectly teaching | | | | life) isn't a bed of roses. But try to |
| the child that it is OK to lie? I have seen | | | | confine your fights to your bedroom and |
| so many parents protecting the guilt of their | | | | control the decibel level unless you have a |
| children by lying, I wonder what will happen | | | | totally soundproof room. I have heard 3 year |
| to them when these children start lying to | | | | old children speaking the filthiest language, |
| their parents themselves!Smoking is a very | | | | even if they probably don't know what they're |
| bad habit and you must refrain from smoking, | | | | speaking!Never ever let go a child who stole |
| at least in front of children. When you | | | | something. Now, I'm not saying that if you |
| smoke, your child watches your actions with | | | | found out that your child is stealing, jump |
| great concentration and then even tries to | | | | on him or give him a tight slap. Don't even |
| imitate you. If you cannot leave the habit, | | | | humiliate him with shame. But sternly explain |
| go to the terrace / verandah and smoke. If | | | | him that this is not right and make it |
| you don't have one, go for a walk and take | | | | crystal clear that it is not permitted. If he |
| your nicotine break there. If you have a | | | | has stolen from a store, go back with him and |
| spare room in your house, go there and | | | | make him return the item. If it is from |
| remember to close / lock your door. So what | | | | school, make him return it to the teacher to |
| if your child knows that you smoke? Don't | | | | avoid him from public shame. Explain to the |
| light up in front of him. If you are smoking | | | | teacher that you will be keeping an eye on |
| and your child comes to you, extinguish your | | | | him from repetition of the act. Follow your |
| cigarette, even you have just started (even | | | | promise religiously and keep a check on his |
| if you're not a millionaire). Remember, | | | | possessions within his schoolbag, his |
| passive smoking is just as dangerous to your | | | | cupboard, etc. Is there something he |
| child's health. Don't keep cigarettes lying | | | | possesses that is not bought by you? If so, |
| around the house and always keep track of the | | | | be firm in knowing from where he got it from |
| number of cigarettes you have (even if you're | | | | and insist on returning it. Don't accept lies |
| a millionaire). You don't want your missing | | | | too easily, its as if you're condoning the |
| cigarettes found in your child's schoolbag, | | | | theft. Also remember, don't keep money lying |
| do you? Remember one thing in your life - | | | | around the house even if you have money to |
| never ever ask your child to buy cigarettes | | | | burn. Make him understand the value of money. |
| for you, if you run out of them. If you do, | | | | Maintain a limit on pocket money and |
| be rest assured that your child will smoke, | | | | encourage him to save. It is also time to |
| some day. You are exposing him to all the | | | | think if the child needs more affection and |
| varieties of cigarettes, the touch, feel and | | | | attention at home and a watch over his |
| smell of it, the cigarette vendor's marketing | | | | company. If all attempts fail, approach a |
| skills and the other smokers. If your | | | | child psychiatrist.Television, movies, games |
| children ask you about your smoking habit, | | | | and comics also play a vital role in the |
| don't lie. Tell them you do smoke and have | | | | psychology of the child. If he watches a lot |
| accidently caught the habit. Don't give a | | | | of brutality, he may tend to act it out. |
| reason for smoking (like you are stressed, | | | | Limit the time and type of programs he |
| etc) as some day you will get a similar | | | | watches. Encourage him to watch productive |
| reason from him. Also tell him that you are | | | | programs suitable to his age. Although I |
| trying to quit and genuinely give it a try. | | | | don't watch television often, recently I have |
| Get an anti-smoking screensaver and install | | | | been watching some serials and was quite |
| it on your PC. You can get them free if you | | | | surprised that most of them were centered |
| search on Wouldn't your children be happier | | | | around scheming women with criminal minds. A |
| if you lived a little longer?The same goes | | | | very important thing you should do is be with |
| for drinking. One important thing to remember | | | | your child when watching television. If there |
| - never get drunk in front of your children. | | | | is a scene which you shouldn't want your |
| If you are not in your senses, you could | | | | child to see, distract him by asking him some |
| speak or do something that you shouldn't, in | | | | question like "is your home work complete" |
| front of your children. You can even cause | | | | and when he is looking at you, change the |
| physical or mental harm. If you MUST get | | | | channel. If he insists to watch it, firmly |
| drunk, go to a bar or confine yourself to a | | | | tell him that it is not right for his age. |