You need to give your children guidance, says Jo Frost

How your child behaves is your responsibility

This might sound obvious but you’d be surprised how many parents I meet who blame everybody but themselves for how their child is turning out.

Make sure you set a good example

I’ve learnt that you need to take responsibility from day one. You’ve been blessed with the incredible miracle of a life, this blank canvas, that’s up to you to paint in a positive way. All her values for these upcoming years are set by you – you’re the major voice in your child’s life. So as well as telling her how to behave from infancy, you also need to be a positive role model. Setting a good example is essential, right from the start. You should have learned this by now, if not…

Start today

Don’t wait until she is 4 years old and a challenging child. Believe me, you should start instilling good values, behaviour and respect from the earliest time your baby can understand. This will make your job as a parent so much more enjoyable, and your child so much nicer to have around.

Don’t start making excuses

STOP “I don’t have time”, “It’s other people’s fault”, or “I’ve got too many kids”. I’ve heard all these excuses before and I’m afraid that none of them really wash with me – c’mon let’s be real. It can be done and you can do it. Remember, be accountable.

This family I saw…

Whilst I was working in America recently, I saw a mum with her family in a hotel. She had four young children eating lunch in the restaurant and they were all sitting around the table together, with a napkin on their laps, having a wonderful conversation with each other and behaving beautifully. How refreshing – praise was certainly plentiful on the dessert list. I gave her such a big smile because I knew she’d got it spot on.