Are we role models for our children?

I have often said that we are role models for our children; not the super stars, the rock stars, the celebrities, the sport stars or the TV stars. It is YOU the parents. The reason is that our children look up to us. Our children do what we do, say what we say and justify what THEY do BECAUSE we, their parents, do it….

One of the most important thing you can do for your child is GET INVOLVED in there lives. Remember your habits, actions and attitudes STRONGLY INFLUENCE your children. Lead by example. A child copies their parent's behavior.

Last week my daughter who is a 5^th grade student had an assignment to write an expository essay about her role model. I did not think anything about it. I figured it would be all about Hannah Montana or the cast of High School Musical… When she got her essay back, she handed it to me and said, “Dad read this.”

Below is her essay, unedited and in her words.

Do you have a person who inspires you? Well I do, my Dad is my role model. My Dad is my role model because he is always positive, kind and always in a great mood. There are many more reasons but these are the most important.

First, my dad is kind, since my Dad is a magician he makes people laugh and he also makes me laugh all the time. He always shares with me and he is kind to others. He goes to schools and teaches about drugs, alcohol and choices. Another reason my Dad is my role model is he plays in the snow with me. On a snow day he built a snowman with me. Another time he played with me was when we played a card game called Hit the deck. One more reason he is kind is he shares. My Dad has a magic room were he stores his magic tricks and books. When he gives me permission, I can go in and look.

Next my Dad is always positive. One of the reason is my Dad is always positive is because of our family motto which is “I Can”. Another reason is he gives positive comments to me. One last reason he is positive is because he supports me. He supports me in cheerleading and acting and school.

Another example is that my Dad is always in a great mood. First of all my Dad says we have 2 choices to be in a great mood or not be in a great mood. My second reason is my dad is always in a great mood is he always finds a way out of a bad situation. My final reason is when me and my brother are in a bad mood, my dad turns are mood to happy.

This is important because you should have someone to look up to. I realize that having someone in your family to be your role model is ok. That is why my DAD is my role model.

She made me extremely proud that day. This essay also proves what I have been teaching to parents. We ARE role models to our children.

Bottom line, we as parents HAVE to be good role models. Our actions, habits and attitudes speak louder than words. Long gone are the days of “do as I say not as I do”….

Keep working on yourself and your children and remember the choices YOU make effect your children…

Until next month…