As a public school educator, I have the fortune and misfortune to observe parental behavior on a daily basis. It is amazing how much I learn about a child by watching his parents. Sadly, most behaviors learned from parents are negative. Children watch and copy everything his mom and dad do because he wants to be "just like" mom or dad. There is a great country song "I've been watching you" by Rodney Atkins. It describes exactly what our children learn from us without even being intentionally taught.
Check your role model status by looking at the following tips:
I am a role model if...
1. I have a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ
2. I love my spouse and demonstrate that love for my child to observe.
3. I use appropriate language all the time because I never know when my child is listening to me.
4. I throw trash in trash cans and not out the car window.
5. I tell the truth, even to my child.
6. I work inside or outside of the home showing my child what good work ethic looks like.
7. I give back to the school, community and church to teach my child that it is better to give than to receive and it is not ALL ABOUT ME!
8. I make my child's education a priority.
9. I set parameters for my child: give him chores, set a reasonable curfew, expect good grades, expect appropriate behavior, monitor his friends and their activities, and DON'T be afraid to tell your child NO!
10. I am "there" for my child-at ball games, school functions, dance recitals, piano recitals and especially at the end of each school day to check homework, listen to him about his day and sit at the dinner table to eat your evening meal.
How did you do? Can you say you do 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of these behaviors? No one is perfect so don't beat yourself up if you don't do all of them. Just think about what you do and how your child learns by watching you.
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