Mark Merrill

Mark Merrill is the founder and president of Family First, a widely respected national non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the family. read bio

The Secret to Getting Your Kids to Obey You: Be this Kind of Model

Before we talk about being a model, be sure you’ve looked over:

Having This Motive

Use This Method

Now, answer the question: What do I model to my children?

You reap what you sow. 

The seeds you plant in your relationships determine what you’ll get in return. Do you want your children to be patient, kind and respectful to you? Then sow those seeds. Model patience, kindness and respect to them.

Words that made me go, “Ouch!”

One night after my daughters we arguing, I asked one of them, “Why can’t you and your sister just be nice to each other?” Her response?  “Dad, haven’t you ever noticed that when you and mom get along, we all get along?”

Ouch!  That hurts…but she’s right.  When my wife and I are short, harsh, argumentative, our kids are too.  When my wife and I are treating each other with patience, kindness and respect, our kids seem to get along much better.  Model what you want to see in your kids.

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