Stop, Look, Listen...Uh-oh

Sometimes, as adults, we need to stop and look at how we behave, listen to how we speak, and really ask ourselves - are we setting a good enough example for our kids to follow?

*DISCLAIMER: If you think I'm about to preach AT you, go ahead and feel relieved because I'm NOT. Everything I say here is equally for my own benefit as it is anyone else's!

A lot of the behavior that we expect our children to display, we expect them to do so simply because we TOLD them to.  Well...are we showing them HOW to?

Don't we tell our children to be nice to others, play fair, share their things, use a nice tone of voice, be patient, eat your veggies... It's endless, right? (That's probably how they feel too. Ha!)

Let's examine ourselves, though.
Are you patient with the people around you? Or does your child witness you sighing, tapping your foot, and muttering complaints when someone slows you down or makes a mistake?  Have they heard you use a less than polite tone of voice with a waitress, sales clerk, bank teller, receptionist...?  Have they watched you argue with someone else important to them (their dad, grandma, uncle...) and you DIDN'T "fight fair?"  Do you complain in front of them, about the same people that you tell them they have to respect (teachers, coaches, babysitter...)?

Do you tell them to pay attention when you're talking to them...but don't bother to look up from your phone when they are talking to you?  Do you give them deadlines and consequences for things you expect them to do...but never follow through with the promises you make?  Do you preach to them about responsibilities, but shirk your own?

You may think that these examples are silly, but I can promise you - you may do something as inconsequential (to YOU) as leave all the broccoli on your plate after you made them eat theirs... and you just lost points with your kids in the credibility department.  I've been there, man.  I've seen it happen.

The bottom line...

Being a parent is hard. Being a good example is even harder.  We all screw up, but don't beat yourself up!   Every day is a chance to do something better than the day before...

♥M