When you envision your child as an adult, what traits do you want her to have? Most parents want their children to be healthy, respectful, kind, honest and financially responsible, but how do they reach those goals? 
Children learn by example, and their parents are their primary source of reference. No pressure, right?
It’s important that you’re living the message that you want to send. Kids pick up on double standards rather quickly, and if they see you doing one thing and preaching another, it’s only a matter of time before they either call you out on it, stop listening and start doing what they want or a combination of both.
As we go about our day, our children are watching and emulating what they are seeing. Here are five things that you can incorporate into your daily life that will have a positive influence on your children (without them even knowing it).
1. Back away from the soda: Sugary carbonated drinks are yummy, but they aren’t good for your teeth, digestive system, waistline or wallet. If you’re primarily drinking water during the day, and saving the soda or sweet tea as a treat, your children will follow suit. Water is so good for your body, from your skin to those last couple of “baby pounds,” you’ll feel the difference and your children will, too.
2. Don’t drop the formalities: When you’re talking or introducing your family to elders, near strangers, or business contacts that you’re not too familiar with yet, use titles. Respectful language seems to be falling away a little more with each generation, and it’s our duty as today’s parents to bring it back. Just because informality is becoming more and more the norm, doesn’t mean that the respect shown by referring to someone as Mr., Ms., Mrs, Aunt, or Uncle (not to mention sir or ma’am) isn’t still appreciated. This simple courtesy speaks for itself as your child is growing up, from dating to job interviews.
3. Reach out to others: If you see someone in need, and you have the ability to help, do it. This doesn’t have to be something huge. Simply holding a door open for a stranger at the gas station, or offering to hold a bag of groceries while she digs for her keys, is showing your kids that random acts of kindness make a difference, and they will do the same for others as they grow.
4. Admit your mistakes and answer questions honestly: This is one of the hardest things for a parent to do, myself included, but it makes a world of difference in communication and relationship development between your children and you. If they feel like you trust them with the truth, they will return the favor.
5. Use cash: Convenience for us can be confusion for our children. The use of debit cards, credit cards and checkbooks simplifies shopping transactions, but it can be hard for kids to catch on to the actual value of money. While we know that we have spending limits and budgets, through a child’s eyes, it looks like there is an unlimited cash source. Credit and debit cards are great because they are more secure and easy to track, so using them for large purchases is understandable, but using cash for reasonably small purchases, especially ones that aren’t necessities, like a quick lunch at the mall, demonstrates that the dollar has value and that when it’s gone…it’s really gone.
Stepping back and taking a look at how our children may perceive our actions can make a positive impact on how we conduct ourselves and, in turn, what we are teaching them.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/2127310513
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