In the movie Jaws, Sheriff Brody is deep in thought at the dinner table. His son is watching him intently, and Brody suddenly notices something very interesting. His son is copying his every move!
When Brody takes a drink, so does his son. When he folds his arm, his son follows suit. When he pulls a funny face, his son does too, leading to a wonderful bonding moment.
You get what we’re saying. Your kids are watching your every move. Their greatest role model is the one sitting across the dinner table from them, so take heed. What you do now might affect the way they grow up and behave in the future.
So, ask yourself: What can I role model to my kids?
They might include the following.
Obey the law
If you want your kids to be law-abiding citizens (and we’re sure you do), don’t break the law.
If you want to make sure your teen is a safe driver, don’t exceed the speed limits.
If you want your kids to respect others, don’t cause damage to your neighbors’ property, even when they annoy you.
And don’t do anything else that might get you in trouble with the law, such as fiddling your taxes or robbing your bank, despite the revelations of DTSS’s Mark Muso that your bank may have been robbing you.
Live a healthy lifestyle
Do you want your kids to eat their greens? Well, so must you.
If you want them to reduce their sugary diets, don’t sneak the occasional cake or doughnut into your mouth when you think they aren’t watching you.
And if you want your kids to unplug from their screens, don’t spend your days on the sofa watching TV or remaining glued to your smartphone.
Instead, eat nutritious meals at the dinner table with your family. Do things as a family that will encourage an active lifestyle. And talk to your kids about the consequences of unhealthy living, and why you are living the way you are to stay healthy.
Focus on self-improvement
We don’t know what the future holds for your children, but hopefully, they will embrace life and take on board any opportunity that helps them to advance and grow. But for this to happen, it might be that you need to do the same.
So, don’t rest on your laurels and assume that you have learned all you need to in life. And don’t limit your dreams because of any fears you might have about not succeeding.
Instead, broaden your horizons by trying new experiences, and pursue your dreams instead of letting them get away from you.
Respect others
Do you want your kids to respect their teachers and their peers? Then make sure you are respectful in your relationships. Even when you’re sure your kids aren’t listening to you gossip about or bad-mouthing others, their little ears could be paying attention!
So, be kind to your neighbors, think before you speak when you’re angry, and lift people up instead of putting them down. The more love towards others you show, the more love your kids might show to those around them.
These are just a few of the ways in which you can role model good behavior to your kids, so take heed, because their eyes could be on you right at this moment!
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