Be the person you want your child to be.
There is a lot of power behind that sentence and a whole lot of responsibility too.
Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they didn’t have anything to do with it. ~Haim Ginott
But, as the parents of the newest generations–we DO.
This begins from the moment they are conceived, you eat better to feel better and to give them everything they need while within your womb. You do your best to avoid bad things, to not give them “junk” that will harm them. You avoid fish high in mercury, you avoid dying your hair, you may even give up caffeine or smoking.
Ultimately, you eat foods that are wholesome for your growing baby and make decisions that they cannot yet make themselves.
It continues onto giving our kids the foods that they need to live a healthy life and eventually teaching them how to do this on their own. This expands far beyond just being a healthy human being but, to being a healthy and functioning member of society.
As parents we nourish their minds and bodies.
Kids learn by example.
Every time I do something, I ask myself– Am I the person that I want my children to be?
I think one of the most compelling things and what makes the biggest impact in their lives is who we are and how we act when we think they aren’t watching or are “too young” to understand. It’s how you treat other people, the things you say and do that affect not only yourself but others. Also, the way you react to what other people say or do to you too.
This can be as monumental or as minuscule as swearing, having fights or misunderstandings with other adults or life-impacting bad habits. It can also be great habits as eating well, staying active, a love of music or reading–the possibilities are endless!
As much as I hate to admit it, I’m a lot like my parents are but, they have given me the power to choose.
One has to wonder, is this a person that when my child grows up, that they’d be proud of?
Being a young mom, I’ve put a lot of thought behind this. I want to teach my kids to strive for satisfaction, not perfection. There are so many different definitions of perfection and can mean many different things to different people. I also want to help my children learn on their own, prepare them for their future, not make their future.
I’ve come across a few negative people throughout my life, past and present. People that are parents but don’t think twice about how their modeling is teaching their children. They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and in essence, that is true.
It doesn’t matter what age, I’ve seen really young parents who still lack maturity and even older ones that don’t realize what their comportment and choices do to their kids.
In no means am I judging a person’s parenting, I am simply observing and thinking about my own experiences.
I am a young parent and I always strive to be a person that my kids can be proud of, I may not be perfect and have my moments of weakness and have made mistakes but, I’m doing my best to be the person that I want them to be one day.
In the meantime, we can guide them in all that is spirituality, compassion, love, patience, kindness, manners, integrity and so much more.
How about you, are you aware of your actions and are you the person you someday want your kids to be?
Let me know, till then–cheers m’deres!
15 Responses to Are You the Person You Want Your Child To Be?
oh wow. just wow. that really is a powerful question. that will stay with me for a while!
LOL, I think about it a lot. Hehe. It often stops me from doing things that I know I shouldn’t do or to do things out of my comfort zone. Having kids hasn’t defined me but, it sure has made me into a more positive person! Hehe!
What a thought provoking post Nancy! It really makes me stop and think (especially when I am giving a driver on the road hell
It is so true how we do everything to be the perfect parent when we are pregnant and to ensure that we eat all our fruits and veggies and are so very careful. Hard to be that perfect all of the time but I plan to read and re read this post as a reminder to myself!
Thank-you, most definitely though. We all have our moments and we definitely aren’t perfect. I guess I analyze myself lots. Hehe. I catch myself most times but, like I said–I’m not perfect at all but, I try to be more aware of my actions! LOL.
Great question. I think I am. I’m not perfect by any means, but reflecting back on it — I’m not bad at all. I love to interact with my kids, but still let them do what they want. I like taking them out and about. I get them involved. I have a job I enjoy.
That is a great question. I think there’s definitely room for improvement!
Well said, Nancy! I spend every single day trying to be the person I want my boys to be and while I usually screw it up, I do hold to the core values of honesty and compassion that I hope my boys will have as adults as well.
As a young Mom too, I have dealt with a lot of ridicule over the years and been belittled on many occasions that I don’t know what I am doing and should be doing other ways. It drives me insane!
I strive to be the best I can be and do everything in my power to mould my children into “perfect” beings. Recently I had an event with someone that actually got me up, out of the room and going home because they felt my age compared to theirs made me an unfit mother and I had no idea how to raise my children (yep they actually said this to me), because I put my child in time out for screaming after being told not too with others around. I’ve always raised my children the same way, every day whether people are present or not because I know structure is key.
I hope my children strive to not be me when they are older. I want them to be themselves, with my traits
I apologize for my mistakes, and acknowledge them the same way I’d expect my children. The only way they’ll follow the rules, is if I do too.
Awesome post Nancy! Everyone’s perfect, in their own perfect way
Like the picture. Love the message.
I try to consciously think about why I make the decisions I do. Kids watch everything their parents do. I guess I have to stop using those “special words”…
Thanks for sharing.
Awesome perspective! Someone’s perfection is someone else’s view of failure. Just like I’m like my parents, I am NOT them. They gave me the power of choice and I’m my own person. I wish to give my kids a solid foundation and hopefully be someone they are proud to call Mom. We can only guide them! I hear you on being young and looked down upon, I don’t care because I know I do my best and that to me, is all that matters!
I love this, that’s exactly what I wanted to portray. We try our best and we give them a solid foundation.
Hehe, like anything–there’s always room for improvement!
Definitely, being a parent is something that is beyond words. A pleasure yet a large responsibility!
I love this post, Nancy! Lots of food for thought! You are such a thoughtful writer. Looking forward to reading more of your Blogaholic posts!
Great post Nancy. A great question every parent must ask of themselves.
I try my best to be the person I want my kids to be. But it usually turns out to be “do as I say, not as I do.”
Case in point – I’ve been trying to tell my oldest that he isn’t allowed “dessert” after every meal (lunch and supper). And by dessert, one item is usually yogurt which is fairly healthy. Anyway, today I grabbed something both after lunch and after supper and oldest saw. So, he said, “well if you can have two desserts today, so can I.”
Whoops!