Throughout life as a parent many people, including myself - have made demands. But I have found that demands never really work out well. Children deserve respect and in turn they will give respect back. Taking demands out of parenting would help to create a more respectful child. How? Because instead of making demands - make explanations. When they ask why, don't demand "Because I said so !" or "because I'm the parent!" - those demands will hardly get the results you actually desire and it will hold no long term benefits. Explaining "Because mommy is trying to keep you safe and this is the best way to do this or else this negative consequence can happen" or "Because it would be helpful to mommy and she would really appreciate it." Will go a much farther way. And it will hold better long term effects. It will also help your child to learn to think ahead for themselves.
Now what does any of this have to do with respect? Well by showing respect - you're TEACHING respect. Children are observant - they watch, and they mimic and with mimicking - they learn. What you put out to a child is exactly what you will get back.
If you are patient and understanding with your child - you will raise a patient and understanding child.
Your words to your child will become their inner voice for when they are older.
If you swear - you are unconsciously teaching your child to form sentences with swears. For you to demand that they don't swear - won't be helpful for them because they don't know how. They have been taught to form sentences with swears, as you do. To get angry with them will only create frustration and confusion inside of themselves. They don't understand which words they are expected to eliminate and the reason why those specific words are wrong or bad - when they hear them used frequently. They just know that it's what they know and what the natural way to talk is - because it's what they've learned and mimicked.
