If it is difficult for many adults to stand firm and set limits for others, it is even more difficult for children. Above all, if they have not been taught to do it from a young age, even though it is something fundamental. The fact that they are able to impose them will allow them to know themselves better and explore their individuality. It will give them control over their own lives and decisions, as well as remaining more impenetrable to attempts at blackmail or manipulation. So teaching a child to set limits is a very important part of parenting.
When children learn to say no, this has a positive impact on both the value and respect they have for themselves, and the way they build relationships with others. Much healthier and more authentic. One of the essential points for children to know how to set limits has to do with the tone used and, especially, the security with which that line that cannot be crossed is established.
Teaching children to set limits can be a complex task for some parents, which is why psychologist Milena González makes the task much easier by sharing a series of tips on how to act.
One of the most important has to do with how those limits are expressed. Parents must educate their children by explaining to them that they should always use a tone of voice that is kind but firm. Through this, children can say how they feel, what bothers them and what they need.
In the first case, for example, if they are sad, angry or if they perceive that they are being excluded from a group. The next thing would be to express what makes them feel upset, such as not respecting their turn or their ideas being ignored, according to the psychologist. And, the third step, share what the need is, in these particular examples being that, in future situations, they are asked about giving up their turn or having their ideas heard.
Milena González insists to parents the importance of teaching their children that they are people deserving of respect. Just as your voice and your ideas have value and deserve to be heard, just like those of the rest. In short, it is about teaching assertiveness, something that must be instilled in children from an early age so that they develop it during their growth and apply it to the different social contexts in which they will find themselves.
