Role Models...

How many of us grew up with and idolized someone? I’d say about 99.9% of us did. A movie star, performer, band, or athletes are some of the types of people we idolized at one point in our lives. For me, growing up I idolized athletes such as Mo Vaughn, Pedro Martinez, and Paul Pierce.

Mo Vaughn the original “Big Papi” of the Boston Red Sox, put fear in every pitcher he ever faced at Fenway Park. A big burly left handed power hitter who’s swing was just perfect. His most notable nickname in Boston was “Hit Dog” and for good reason.

Pedro Martinez. Not much needs to be mentioned here. Cy Young Winner, World Series Champion, and one of the greatest pitchers baseball has ever seen. The lanky power pitcher from the Domincan Republic dominated teams such as the Yankees for so many years.

Paul Pierce. 1996 Draft pick out of Kansas. Quite frankly, the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics in the last 16 years. Paul Pierce gave his blood, sweat and tears to the Celtic Organization in good times and in bad times. And in 2008, all his hardwork finally paid off. Paul Pierce, World Champion.

I remember wanting to grow up to be just like these 3 athletes. I had all their jerseys, and posters hanging up in my room as a kid. Even one Halloween I was decked out in Celtic Green with the #34 jersey going from house to house for candy. Those were the days.

Now, in 2012 some of these so called “Role Models” that kids these days look up to just don’t seem to be taking on the responsibility. DUI’s, Drug Chargers, Assault and Battery are just some of the crimes these “Role Models” are being charged with seemingly on a weekly basis. But still, our kids seem to forget about that and still idolize these people.

So many athletes and celebrities say on countless interviews “I try my hardest to be a role model for young men and women”, but yet they still seem to do the wrong thing and our kids are seeing their every move. With Twitter and Facebook, these celebrities post pictures and updates for “Followers” to see every second of the day. Some of these pictures and updates aren’t always the most G-Rated if you catch my drift.

I always ask kids why is this athlete or this celebrity your role model? The typical response is…because they’re awesome! They’re rich, and famous, and the whole world knows who they are. They may be rich, famous and popular throughout the world…but, do they know who you are?

• When you need to be to your sports practice do they drive you? NOPE. Your parents do.

Parents are the real role models and should be the real role models in our children’s lives. The things parent’s do for their kids on a daily basis should show these kids WOW, they care so much for me. But still, when’s the last time you heard a kid say my mom or dad is my idol, my role model. Not too often anymore.

The point I’m trying to make is that parents, you can and should be the role models for your children. Not some athlete who gets busted for drugs or driving around with semi-automatic weapons. You pour out your blood, sweat, and tears for your children on a daily basis. Now I know coming from me who is not a parent you may say, well what does he know? I know this, sometimes all kids want is their parents attention. After working with kids for so many years that’s the one thing kids always tell me. My parents are too busy to hangout or they don’t seem interested in my life outside of family.

I always tell parents try to do a board game night once a week, or a family movie night. We get so consumed with work, and everything else that sometimes family time gets pushed to the back burner. That’s how it was for me growing up. But, when my family took time to just hangout with my sister and I we as a family saw a big difference.

I leave you with this thought…with all the negative stuff our kids see on a daily basis who do you want your children to turn to when they need someone? Some celebrity who 9/10 doesn’t even know your kid exists, or the love from a family who will do whatever possible to be there for them.