R E S P E C T

My husband is a terrific dad - sometimes I truly believe he is a better Dad than I am a Mom simply because almost everything he does is methodical, organized and thought out.  He has such a strong set of values and morals - and when he disciplines he always does so through the filter of RESPECT. 

The most important quality for a child to exhibit is respect toward others - elders, friends, authority figures, politicians, school, government - you name it, everyone and everything deserves respect.  Misbehaving on the part of the kids is a sign of disrespect toward us as parents.  Physically fighting with one another is disrespect toward you siblings.  Not cutting your hair and letting it hang across your face is disrespect toward yourself and your family because you appear as though you don't care about anything but yourself (not to mention disrespect against God, because how can you possibly worship with hair hanging in your eyes...).  The list goes on and on - and on.  The lessons of respect have certainly been ingrained in the thought processes of the kids - and often it only takes the words "Show some respect" and the older two immediately straighten up and fly right.  The younger understands the tone of voice better than the words but he is getting there.

I have learned so much from my children's father - the amount of respect I hold for him grows by the years.  Of course, he really isn't all that interested in my respect!