Sometimes, being a parent (or in my case, an older sibling) can be really hypocritical. How exactly are you supposed to tell the 11yo that he can’t say “ass” when you say it? Or how do you explain to the 6yo that you can eat chocolate whenever you want, but she needs to ask permission first? It makes no difference to them and to state otherwise is basically hypocritical.
So one beautiful (and sometimes annoying, depending on how you look at it) thing about kids is that, because you’re the example, you have to be a GOOD example. You have to make more of an effort to watch what you say, how you act, what you do, how you think, and the like when you’re around kids. Sometimes, that means changing your whole lifestyle in order to provide them with a better future.
During movies, for example, we have to fast forward through all the “scenes” (or as Michelle from “Full House” would say, the taxes). However, since the kids shouldn’t be watching it, shouldn’t that send off warning bells…the kind that says “maybe no one should be watching this”? It is SO frustrating to see an awesome movie (such as “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” for example) ruined by the “one scene”. Also, call me crazy, but I don’t find watching a couple strip naked and start kissing prime entertainment.
Kids take on the habits of their parents. My parents always say that you can see how the family acts at home by looking at the youngest member of the family. If the toddler has an “all about me” attitude by fighting, shoving, yelling, etc, you can safely assume that those actions probably occur in the home, as well. If the little one is calling other children names or has a “potty mouth,” you can probably guess where he got it. Children have this brutally honest trait about them. It’s adorable and frightening, most of the time. They’re like your conscience, only worse, because they are your conscience personified.
So part of being a parent is analyzing what your values are and striving to perfect yourself in an attempt to help your kids lead better lives. Life’s a journey that we all have travel, so make straight the paths of those who look up to you, who respect you, and who admire you.
