HOW TO SAVE YOUR CHILD FROM BAD INFLUENCES

Children of today will become adults tomorrow, no doubt. No doubt also that the adults of today were once kids. I remember when I was little and I used to think that adulthood is a state of being perfect. I thought we were being caned for doing wrong just because we were young and that by the time we attained adulthood, we would be perfect (knowing right from wrong and doing right). Then, I was surprised when people still complained about adults too. It even got worse when I saw some adults engage in violence
, bad language and all the things we were corrected for while growing up.
Later, I discovered that human beings can never be perfect. That is just our nature. The earlier we accept that fact the better for us. So many factors affect a child as he grows; his parents, the environment, the school, religion, countless factors. Now, let's assume that you have noticed some behaviour in your child of which you don't like. What can you do to correct it? I will like to get practical here. Ask yourself these questions to get on the track? Take for instance, a child who uses abusive language.

1. Where do you think the child learnt to do this? (how do adults including you relate in your child's presence?) Do you use abusive and loose language when relating with other adults. Children tend to study their environment. You must realise that no matter how old your child ma be, he or she is like a blank software waiting to be programmed. Whatever you do will have a long way to go in his/her relation with others.
2. For how long do you think he/she has been doing it? (knowing when your child starts shows you are a sensitive parent who creates time for his/her children. You must be able to vouch for your child in any circumstance. To promote this, spend quality time with your child. Try to know what his/her typical day looks like and this will help you put things right. Talk with your child and befriend your child. Such children born into good relationship with their parents tend to grow up balanced.
3. Who and who are drawing back your great work? (By this, I mean, there might be some external factors still responsible for what your child is doing. Some parents censor what their children watch on TV. This is not asking for too much. The internet is a free world, but the earlier you put restrictions on it the better for your children, and you too.) This may sound mean, but you can find a way of discouraging certain friends from visiting your children or even mixing with them. If you have people with bad influence around you, try your best to minimise their interactions with your children.
4. How well do you know your child? (Well, you can know your child better by chatting a lot with him/her.  Try to tell your child the truth about issues and not only that. Show him/her the way of doing things. Don't paint the truth with lies because whenever your child discovers it, he/she will lose a little trust for you. If your child believes in you, he or she will mostly behave like you. So, be your child's hero.
5. Correct in love. (Think back to when your toddler learned to walk. She would take a weaving step or two, collapse and immediately look to you for your reaction. You were in thrall to those early attempts and would do everything possible to encourage her to get up again. You certainly didn’t chastise her for failing or utter dire predictions about flipping burgers for the rest of her life if she fell again. You were present, alert and available to guide if necessary. But you didn’t pick her up every time.You knew she had to get it wrong many times before she could get it right.)
6. Be patient for results. (Patience is also a way to express your love to your child. Don't crucify your child because he or she is not yet living to expectation. don't condemn. Instead, bring out the best in him/her.)