APOLOGIZE
Apologizing to your child for breaking his heart by not showing up at his playgroup’s Christmas party; or just saying sorry for shouting at your kid can up your coolness quotient. It reminds them that though mommy and daddy are not beyond flaws themselves, it is mighty brave of them to accept their mistake. Explaining to them, once the tears have dried and the heart mended, why you did or said what you did can help build bridges. It also teaches them to accept responsi¬bility for their actions and have the courage to stand up and face the music in life. If you have an argument with your partner/spouse in front of your kids, be sure to make up in front of them too.

In a perfect world, parents would never raise their voices in front of the impressionable young and definitely not have bitter rows with each other.

DON’T FIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR CHILDREN.
There are enough and more dysfunctional families in the world today. Stemming the tide starts with remembering that we are dealing with tender minds that absorb all the negativity we as adults let fly around, without a thought.

It is important though to ensure, that as parents we agree, outwardly at least, on the level of discipline the child needs. Any disagreements should ideally be aired in private. If the kids sense any divisive thoughts within their parents, it could upset the scales of the household dynamics. Children are smarter and more perceptive than we believe them to be. It is important to present a unified front so that there is no latitude for diverging from the norm.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE
All kids imitate their parents in almost everything they do; it is scary to think of the negative baggage they might carry around in their tiny heads. Loosely passing any value judgments based on socioeconomic, ethnic, regional, linguistic or even superficial factors like skin color or the way somebody dresses; in front of your kids can have long-term connotations. There is time enough to let them form their own opinions. Tolerance and compassion is something that we can help inculcate in our young ones right at home.

STAND BY YOUR SAY
The very first role models a child acquires are his parents and it stays that way before adolescence wise them up. Remember, everything we do and say is under the scanner. Our children mirror us largely, and whether it’s a gratifying or an unpleasant sight pretty much depends on us. Our children emulate us to every tiny detail and some of the good and bad stuff stays through to their adulthood too. It is important to be polite to your child, saying please, sorry and thank you. Our kids learn best by example and good manners are very catching. The best finishing school for a kid is right in their own homes. A value system is not just a theoretical legacy; it involves leading by example.