-
Child see. Children do.
- Oct 18, 2009 at 2:35 PM
- By
- Comments (25) Total Views (1009) Everyone can see this journal post.
Our lives impact our children. Children whose parents eat healthy, eat healthy. Children whose parents are affectionate, are affectionate. Children who see hitting, hit. Children who hear screaming scream. Children that live in a mess, are messy (issue in my house). Children that see jealousy, are jealous. Children that see anger, are angry. Children that see happiness, are happy. Children who see faith, are faithful. Children that are loved, love others.
This list can go on and on. You will notice I didn't say anything about what children are hearing about these things.
Many people are all about the "do as I say not as I do" mentality. This doesn't work. Our children will do what we do. Our children watch us and mimic us. We might not like it but they are our shining example of how we live our lives. If we have bad eating habits our children are likely to have those habits too. Link. Statistics show that parents that smoke will likely have children that smoke. Link.
This applies to religion as well. I always want to do things for my children. I find that it is easier in many ways. I want to put away their laundry because it is quicker and neate. What I am teaching them?
My faith is most important part of my life, before my family. I feel so strongly about my family because of my faith. I sometimes want to skip my study and mediation/prayer because I want to do something for my family.
In the Bible it says "these commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." I have to have things on my heart before I can pass them to my kids or family.
There comes a time when we have to make it personal. It's great all the things we are doing for our kids but spiritual development isn't something we can do for them. It is something that lives in us not matter what religion we have chosen.
In Matthew of the Bible Jesus asked, "Who do you think I am?" He said that when the disciples described who people say the Son of Man was.
What does your faith say about this issue? Why is it sometimes hard to lead by example?
We all have to take care of our own personal growth before we can take the speck out of others, including our children.
Comments:
Very powerful video, Rebecca.
Kids mimic their parents. I thought this was common knowledge. Apparently I thought wrong. Great post Rebecca
I talked about something similar in my "Bully" journal. They do pay attention to us. But, they also pay attention to others as well. I can remember getting into 'trouble' with one of my friends once because I used my potty mouth when her 4 year old was in the room.
Good find, Rebecca. Very intense.
That video made me cry.
I could not agree with you more. Children do and say what we do and say, whether we want them to or not. I see it all the time. In fact, I learn more about myself from listening to my kids than I would have ever imagined.
Wonderful post. I have seen that video before and it is a very simple yet powerful message. I think people do forget that our children emulate not only our habits, but our attitudes as well.
"Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain". -John Locke
Love it! I am Pagan and as such, my faith is centred around love and respect for all living things.
I posted this a few days ago....very thought provoking, isnt' it.
Very good video. Thanks for sharing.
I completely agree with BeaMoore's response. Right down to the bad example ex. = (
Fantastic post, Rebecca. = )
Already a member? Click here to log in
I am an atheist. I teach my son to respect other people, nature and the planet we live on. I act respectfully and with kindness around people, I love and care for our pets and other animals, I talk with respect to mhy own Mom.
My soon to be ex swears a lot, is angry a lot, uses sarcasm a lot and is unhappy, our son still seems to be leaning towards what I teach him, if I am unhappy, I have bipolar depression, I try to explain to him that I am sick, feel bad this day because of the sickness and it will go away.
I am rambling here, sorry. But I agree that we raise our children by example. We cannot expect them to know that if we behave bad they still need to behave good, just because. They learn from us, watching us.
Have a great day.
Bea
- BeaMoore
Message Friend Invite