May 9, 2025 Disrespectful Children
“A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone.” – Billy Graham
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We’ve all seen or heard a children exchanging words with their parents, that say loud and clear that “I don’t respect you.” When parents who don’t allow that kind of disrespect from their children, hear those types of exchanges, they feel sorry for the parent who is being abused. That is a natural reaction when we encounter that kind of a situation. If only those parents were the only victims. The reality is disrespectful children carry those same attitudes into the classroom with their teachers, onto the playground with their peers, and into sports activities with their coaches. When the most important people in a child’s life, allow themselves to be disrespected by their child, that leniency sets up a chain of events that carries far beyond their home. Teachers, coaches, playmates, and numerous others will also not be respected by such a child, unless they demand it. I’m sure many of us have encountered youngsters who we had to set straight about how to address us. If we happen to be in a position of teaching or coaching such a child, we usually find they take a liking to us, primarily because we require respect from them. Children are pretty savvy in sizing up adults. They quickly recognize weakness or strength, and usually will admire adults who make their leadership roles clear. Any parents struggling with this issue, may need to reassess their role in their child’s life. Parents are the first adults their children get to know well. It is super important that those who are providing food, shelter, clothing and comfort to them, also teach them how to respect adults, especially the adults who are providing for their very existence. If the parents don’t establish themselves as the authority figures, other adults they encounter as they continue to grow, will more than likely, not accept being disrespected. Once your children encounter how true adults carry themselves, your stature as a parent will be diminished. Whether it takes time out, time up or take away, you as the parent, must do what you must do to get your child to understand his or her relationship to you. If you continue to reward bad behavior by giving them whatever they want, even though you are getting little or nothing of what you want, you are in for a long, bumpy ride as a parent. I pray that you will not let that happen, because if you do, you will be sentencing your child to a difficult, maladjusted life. Please don’t let that happen. Please put on your grown-up pants and be the one in charge of your home. The quality of that child’s life and that of the grandchildren you get from that child are both riding on how well you do your parenting job. Please do it well!
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