Jay Simpson: Times are different, so I try to treat my children differently

Jay Simpson, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
·1 min read

Oct. 13—Respect is a two-way thing. You can't expect to be respected by someone you don't respect — it just doesn't work that way.

I've learned as a parent that it's necessary to apologize to our children when we're in the wrong. No matter the age, they have feelings and emotions that us parents should respect. When I apologize to my children, I make sure it's genuine — just as I would want it to be. Apologies can go a long way, as can not apologizing.

Growing up, I never heard my parents or any adult apologize to me or any other child. It really made me feel really little.

Our culture made it seem as if what the adult said goes; whether it's right or wrong, you don't talk back to an adult. I don't think they meant any harm, it's just all they knew at the time because that's how they were raised. My parents are old school.

I believe we should treat our children with love and respect because they deserve it. I know some parents believe that just because they made the child, they can control them however they see fit. That isn't fair at all.

Allow children to make mistakes because that's how they learn. They don't need the people they are looking to for comfort, love and sympathy being disrespectful. Things have changed. Children are a lot more vocal and they express themselves a lot more.

I love to see when adults respect children because the child will almost automatically give you the same treatment in return. They don't want much but to feel like they matter and that they can be a contribution.