Parents, a Warning or an Example!

Our kids are always watching us. They never stop learning from us in some way. This could be both good and bad, and really depends on what kind of role model we become through our daily behaviors.

Now don’t any of you young bucks out there try to weasel out of this one by pulling any of that reality television star crap saying that you aren’t a role model, or that you didn’t sign up for that part of the job. Too bad. You really are a role model for our young and that’s just the way it is. You see, once other peoples’ eyes are on you because you’re on television, or playing sports, or became a parent, you’re now a role model. Period!

Now, it’s time to step up… Or… someday you risk your own kids doing something that a buddy of mine does. Whenever he has a decision to make he thinks about what his father would have done, and then he does the exact opposite. Ouch! That hurts. Don’t be one of those kind of parents whose own kids don’t even respect them.

The last thing we should ever want to do as parents is to be the type of parents that serves as a warning to others. Now, if you’re young and struggling… that’s okay. We were all young and struggling at one time. The important thing here is to recognize it and to have the courage to make the shift from being a warning to an example.

Becoming a powerful parenting example instead of a warning is a very worthy goal we all can accomplish. Let’s focus on it, and stop letting all of those distractions like reality stars get the best of us.

Now, as my Granddaddy always said, “Go learn, lead, and lay the way to a better world for all of us.” Remember it’s your choice as a parent as to if you want to be seen as a warning or an example. And once again parents, thanks in advance for all that you do, and all that you will do…

Daniel Blanchard is a New Britain Schoolteacher, bestselling and award-winning author, speaker, educator, and TV Host. Learn more about Dan at: www.GranddaddysSecrets.com