If you want to teach your children about trust in a relationship, you have to teach them about what it’s
like to trust someone and what a trusting relationship looks like. You need to provide a way for your kids
to see a relationship that is built on trust and let them know that they can trust you. This shows them acts
that they can imitate and allows them to engage in a trusting relationship that future relationships can be
built on.
Give Your Kids a Good Role Model
The relationships that you demonstrate to your kids should be ones that put trust on the forefront. If you
are involved in any difficult relationships that reveal a lack of trust, end them. Though it may be difficult to
get rid of a relationship, it is important to do so if that relationship is not a good model of trust for the kids
to see.
Openly Talk about Trust
If trust is important to you, talk about it to your children regularly. When they are acting in a responsible
manner, reward them with extra privileges that are extended to them because that trust has been forged.
When kids do something to break that trust, it should be made clear to them that trust has been broken
and the same privileges extended during times of trust will not be extended.
Communicate and Be Honest to Instill Trust
The ultimate lesson of trust in a relationship is instilling trust in the parent-child relationship. Keep
communication open between you and your kids and allow them to ask questions and get honest
answers. Be honest with your kids whenever possible in order to build trust in your kids. As you and your
kids continue to be honest with each other, trust will continue to grow. This is an important aspect of your
relationship that will serve as a model for later relationships.
Encourage Friendships That Involve Trust
As a parent, you have a lot of input into your kids’ friendships. To teach them about trust in a relationship,
talk to your kids about the trust factor in their friendships. Encourage them to be trustworthy friends and to
stop being friends with those who have proven themselves not to be trustworthy. By emphasizing trust
and being an honest person, you will show your kids how important it is to be honest to friends and to
expect honesty in return.
Source: wahm.com